What Psychology Believes Caused The 2012 Shootings

By Hilary Frew on January 18, 2013

 

2012 was the year of gun-induced shootings in the US
Credit: www.1.bp.blogspot.com

It’s a new year. The Mayans may have lost their bet, but countless Americans that have been lost to gun violence.

From the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado last March to the elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut last month; it’s no wonder Americans have lost some faith they once had in the safety, as well as security measures of the public school system.

 

What fuels the killers is not insanity

Five years ago, gun violence from mentally unstable, teenage boys was not a problem most people prioritized until this past year.

In Psychology Today’s December issue,  ’The Hidden Psychological Roots of Gun Violence and Mental Health’  by Douglas LaBier, Psychologist and PhD, discusses factors for this problem happening.

The message? The bulk of shooters are not mentally insane.

LaBier mentions a NY psychiatrist, Richard A. Friedman who says these young men are not clinically insane, but are in fact ”paranoid loners who hold a grudge and are full of rage.”

This rage is a result of a new cultural theme I’m sure many are aware of: the “it’s all about me” mindset.

While this does not include every single person today, there are definitely certain qualities that are commonplace in this phenomenon.

The first is where one believes in the constant need for material consumption to prove “self worth.”

The second is perceiving people as “commodities,” where the relationship is them giving their goods and services so another can take certain items for personal gain.

The third is being self-centered when making life decisions;  i.e  financially or in pursuing a job with the belief that the decision made determines their overall success.

The fourth is not showing empathy towards others. Most do this by consciously pushing the person’s “emotional needs and realities” to the side to focus on our own.

Finally, one can start to become out of sync with their “inner life,” as well as “inter dependency through this world”. Basically, they start to lose their sense of purpose with the universe, believing the world revolves around them.

 

Some solutions to the problem

LaBier calls for a consensus between Democrats and republicans  before any real change can begin to occur.  Then, the NRA must cooperate as well.

For example, stricter rules must be put in place for those who do not use guns for self defense or hunting activities. In addition, more oversight needs to be maintained when keeping records of the person’s use of the weapon. When they abuse the rules, more strict disciplinary action should be enforced.

LaBier argues that “Legislators [should] create additional resources for mentally disturbed people.”

Listening to a friend talk about their trials could spur change for the better.
Credit: http://nspt4kids.com/

He urges all citizens to do their part in educating themselves on the warning signals       for suicide, depression and the like, “whether mild or severe.”

Students can do their part by facilitating discussion on the issue; i.e. thinking of ways they can talk to friends if they may are experiencing constant negative emotions or thoughts about themselves.

                                                                             

What can one person do?  

Don’t ignore a person’s pain.   It might be external, where it shows on their face or in their conversation topics; or internal, where they are struggling with a personal battle and refuse to talk, or choose to withdrawal completely from friends.

Most importantly, be open in discussion with friends and take their words seriously. With tragedies occurring all over the globe, making the effort to be a caring friend in this age may be more important than just simply having a lot of friends.

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