Given the recent tragedies in Buffalo and Uvalde involving mass shootings, people struggle to form a psychological reason. In a recent CNN opinion piece, Reid Meloy a forensic psychologist warns against hasty judgements and blaming mental illness. Instead, he points out the common psychological themes that run through these tragedies.
Reid Meloy began working by researching the behaviour of stalkers and violent attacks. This was followed by studying individuals who commit acts of terror and how this relates to other mass murderers. Meloy rejects common claims made by organisations such as the NRA, that these individuals have a higher chance of being mentally ill, and instead finds that there exists a ‘pathway to violence’. And it is this pathway Meloy expands on in the interview.
The first misconception Meloy puts right, is that individuals just simply ‘snap’ before they commit acts of violence such as mass shooting. In reality, Meloy’s research suggests that there is a great deal of pre-planning and preparations. This is the same in either terrorism or non-ideological attacks.
The second point is that more often than not, there is some history involving a personal grievance usually a profound loss such as a relationship or occupational loss. Meloy points out that the loss may either be a single-time event or cumulative.
The psychological ramifications of these losses then lead to humiliation, anger and shame. Finally, in the light of these events, there is the person choosing to commit violence in response - this Meloy points out as the vital last step everyone has the same events happen with the same accompanying emotions but not everyone sees acts of violence as a suitable answer.
Meloy then illustrates that interventions to halt tragedies, can exist anywhere on the pathway to violence. Gun control, Meloy states exists at the midrange of the pathway.
As a final warning, Meloy states that the frustration he feels is when people don’t take signs of ‘leakage’ seriously enough. Where online activity or the way a person reveals violent ideation isn’t taken seriously by those around them.
Conclusion:
This is a fascinating article that reveals the psychological motivations and pathway to violence which is followed. If the public allowed themselves to get swayed by the common argument that the people who commit acts of mass violence are only those with mental illness, than the acts of violence will always appear random and without cure. This article goes some way in addressing the misconceptions.
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