mass shootings: what causes them and how to reduce … · mass shootings: what causes them and how...
TRANSCRIPT
MASS SHOOTINGS: What Causes Them and How to Reduce Them
Mike BerkowitzThis week:
SOCIAL LEARNING
Social learning = imitation without reinforcementBandura & Walters’ Bobo doll study:
Children watched aggressive adult; copied those behaviors.
Increased if model rewarded. Increases with prestige of model
Obama: ice cream.Gable: undershirts. (Craig: smoking, violence.)Monroe: suicides.
SOCIAL LEARNING
Social learning = imitation without reinforcementBandura & Walters’ Bobo doll study:
Children watched aggressive adult; copied those behaviors.
Increased if model rewarded. Increases with prestige of model
Obama: ice cream.Gable: undershirts. (Craig: smoking, violence.)Monroe: suicides.
A. Bandura and R. Walters, Social Learning and Personality Development, 1963
SOCIAL LEARNING
Social learning = imitation without reinforcementBandura & Walters’ Bobo doll study:
Children watched aggressive adult; copied those behaviors.
Increased if model rewarded. Increases with prestige of model
Obama: ice cream.Gable: undershirts. (Craig: smoking, violence.)Monroe: suicides.
A. Bandura and R. Walters, Social Learning and Personality Development, 1963
THE COPYCAT EFFECT
Loren Coleman book
Werther effect: 1774 suicides as in Goethe novel; banned
List: suicide clusters; teen suicide clusters; snipers;
planes; self- immolation; cult; workplace; school killings;
songs; milieu; suicide bombers: (kamikaze/terrorists);
celebrities; movies
“It deals with …the power of the mass communication
and culture to create an epidemic of similar behaviors”
Media poses models & disinhibition: breaks down
inhibitions of aggression in those who identify
Teen suicide clusters: Blackouts help.
Death sells: “If it bleeds, it leads.”
Reduced by: not played up; distastefully;
better self-image/culture
THE COPYCAT EFFECT
Loren Coleman book
Werther effect: 1774 suicides as in Goethe novel; banned
List: suicide clusters; teen suicide clusters; snipers;
planes; self- immolation; cult; workplace; school killings;
songs; milieu; suicide bombers: (kamikaze/terrorists);
celebrities; movies
“It deals with …the power of the mass communication
and culture to create an epidemic of similar behaviors”
Media poses models & disinhibition: breaks down
inhibitions of aggression in those who identify
Teen suicide clusters: Blackouts help.
Death sells: “If it bleeds, it leads.”
Reduced by: not played up; distastefully;
better self-image/culture
THE COPYCAT EFFECT
Loren Coleman book
Werther effect: 1774 suicides as in Goethe novel; banned
List: suicide clusters; teen suicide clusters; snipers;
planes; self- immolation; cult; workplace; school killings;
songs; milieu; suicide bombers: (kamikaze/terrorists);
celebrities; movies
“It deals with …the power of the mass communication
and culture to create an epidemic of similar behaviors”
Media poses models & disinhibition: breaks down
inhibitions of aggression in those who identify
Teen suicide clusters: Blackouts help.
Death sells: “If it bleeds, it leads.”
Reduced by: not played up; distastefully;
better self-image/culture
THE COPYCAT EFFECT
Loren Coleman book
Werther effect: 1774 suicides as in Goethe novel; banned
List: suicide clusters; teen suicide clusters; snipers;
planes; self- immolation; cult; workplace; school killings;
songs; milieu; suicide bombers: (kamikaze/terrorists);
celebrities; movies
“It deals with …the power of the mass communication
and culture to create an epidemic of similar behaviors”
Media poses models & disinhibition: breaks down
inhibitions of aggression in those who identify
Teen suicide clusters: Blackouts help.
Death sells: “If it bleeds, it leads.”
Reduced by: not played up; distastefully;
better self-image/culture
THE COPYCAT EFFECT
Loren Coleman book
Werther effect: 1774 suicides as in Goethe novel; banned
List: suicide clusters; teen suicide clusters; snipers;
planes; self- immolation; cult; workplace; school killings;
songs; milieu; suicide bombers: (kamikaze/terrorists);
celebrities; movies
“It deals with …the power of the mass communication
and culture to create an epidemic of similar behaviors”
Media poses models & disinhibition: breaks down
inhibitions of aggression in those who identify
Teen suicide clusters: Blackouts help.
Death sells: “If it bleeds, it leads.”
Reduced by: not played up; distastefully;
better self-image/culture
http://maddisonthorne.edublogs.org/
Following Marilyn Monroe's death, the suicide rate rose 12 percent.
1987 New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/18/nyregion/pattern-of-death-copycat-suicides-among-youths.html
http://maddisonthorne.edublogs.org/
It Happened One Night 1934
http://yastrow.com/it-happened-one-night/
http://www.deoveritas.com/blog/the-moments-that-have-defined-the-gentleman/
It Happened One Night 1934
http://yastrow.com/it-happened-one-night/
http://www.deoveritas.com/blog/the-moments-that-have-defined-the-gentleman/
Coconut ice cream sales jumped in Portland after… President Obama bought that flavor in Mount Desert Island.
http://bangordailynews.com/2010/07/29/politics/obama-maine-visit-a-rose-in-a-month-of-thorns/
Coconut ice cream sales jumped in Portland after… President Obama bought that flavor in Mount Desert Island.
http://bangordailynews.com/2010/07/29/politics/obama-maine-visit-a-rose-in-a-month-of-thorns/
CHARLES LINDBERGH
Year after, applications for
pilot licenses up 300%
THE COPYCAT EFFECT
Loren Coleman book
Werther effect: 1774 suicides as in Goethe novel; banned
List: suicide clusters; teen suicide clusters; snipers;
planes; self- immolation; cult; workplace; school killings;
songs; milieu; suicide bombers: (kamikaze/terrorists);
celebrities; movies
“It deals with …the power of the mass communication
and culture to create an epidemic of similar behaviors”
Media poses models & disinhibition: breaks down
inhibitions of aggression in those who identify
Teen suicide clusters: Blackouts help.
Death sells: “If it bleeds, it leads.”
Reduced by: not played up; distastefully;
better self-image/culture
THE COPYCAT EFFECT
Loren Coleman book
Werther effect: 1774 suicides as in Goethe novel; banned
List: suicide clusters; teen suicide clusters; snipers;
planes; self- immolation; cult; workplace; school killings;
songs; milieu; suicide bombers: (kamikaze/terrorists);
celebrities; movies
“It deals with …the power of the mass communication
and culture to create an epidemic of similar behaviors”
Media poses models & disinhibition: breaks down
inhibitions of aggression in those who identify
Teen suicide clusters: Blackouts help.
Death sells: “If it bleeds, it leads.”
Reduced by: not played up; distastefully;
better self-image/culture
THE COPYCAT EFFECT
Loren Coleman book
Werther effect: 1774 suicides as in Goethe novel; banned
List: suicide clusters; teen suicide clusters; snipers;
planes; self- immolation; cult; workplace; school killings;
songs; milieu; suicide bombers: (kamikaze/terrorists);
celebrities; movies
“It deals with …the power of the mass communication
and culture to create an epidemic of similar behaviors”
Media poses models & disinhibition: breaks down
inhibitions of aggression in those who identify
Teen suicide clusters: Blackouts help.
Death sells: “If it bleeds, it leads.”
Reduced by: not played up; distastefully;
better self-image/culture
THE COPYCAT EFFECT
Loren Coleman book
Werther effect: 1774 suicides as in Goethe novel; banned
List: suicide clusters; teen suicide clusters; snipers;
planes; self- immolation; cult; workplace; school killings;
songs; milieu; suicide bombers: (kamikaze/terrorists);
celebrities; movies
“It deals with …the power of the mass communication
and culture to create an epidemic of similar behaviors”
Media poses models & disinhibition: breaks down
inhibitions of aggression in those who identify
Teen suicide clusters: Blackouts help.
Death sells: “If it bleeds, it leads.”
Reduced by: not played up; distastefully;
better self-image/culture
THE COPYCAT EFFECT
Loren Coleman book
Werther effect: 1774 suicides as in Goethe novel; banned
List: suicide clusters; teen suicide clusters; snipers;
planes; self- immolation; cult; workplace; school killings;
songs; milieu; suicide bombers: (kamikaze/terrorists);
celebrities; movies
“It deals with …the power of the mass communication
and culture to create an epidemic of similar behaviors”
Media poses models & disinhibition: breaks down
inhibitions of aggression in those who identify
Teen suicide clusters: Blackouts help.
Death sells: “If it bleeds, it leads.”
Reduced by: not played up; distastefully;
better self-image/culture
THE COPYCAT EFFECT
Loren Coleman book
Werther effect: 1774 suicides as in Goethe novel; banned
List: suicide clusters; teen suicide clusters; snipers;
planes; self- immolation; cult; workplace; school killings;
songs; milieu; suicide bombers: (kamikaze/terrorists);
celebrities; movies
“It deals with …the power of the mass communication
and culture to create an epidemic of similar behaviors”
Media poses models & disinhibition: breaks down
inhibitions of aggression in those who identify
Teen suicide clusters: Blackouts help.
Death sells: “If it bleeds, it leads.”
Reduced by: not played up; distastefully;
better self-image/culture
“The violence is everywhere and the media is gobbling it up, unconsciously spreading it in the process”—Loren Coleman
“Or is the general public itself, conditioned now on a high protein diet of increasingly violent fare, to blame for wanting more and more? Of course asking the question Who is responsible? deflects the attention away from the major socially reinforcing element in the mix: the media itself”—Loren Coleman
“It is about looking at how the stories are being presented, how the current approach has backfired and triggered the copycat effect. In essence, the media has to stop using rampage shootings, celebrity suicides, bridge jumpers, and school shootings the way it uses tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes to get people to watch their programs. Human behavior reporting impacts future human behaviors.”—Loren Coleman
“The violence is everywhere and the media is gobbling it up, unconsciously spreading it in the process”—Loren Coleman
“Or is the general public itself, conditioned now on a high protein diet of increasingly violent fare, to blame for wanting more and more? Of course asking the question Who is responsible? deflects the attention away from the major socially reinforcing element in the mix: the media itself”—Loren Coleman
“It is about looking at how the stories are being presented, how the current approach has backfired and triggered the copycat effect. In essence, the media has to stop using rampage shootings, celebrity suicides, bridge jumpers, and school shootings the way it uses tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes to get people to watch their programs. Human behavior reporting impacts future human behaviors.”—Loren Coleman
“The violence is everywhere and the media is gobbling it up, unconsciously spreading it in the process”—Loren Coleman
“Or is the general public itself, conditioned now on a high protein diet of increasingly violent fare, to blame for wanting more and more? Of course asking the question Who is responsible? deflects the attention away from the major socially reinforcing element in the mix: the media itself”—Loren Coleman
“It is about looking at how the stories are being presented, how the current approach has backfired and triggered the copycat effect. In essence, the media has to stop using rampage shootings, celebrity suicides, bridge jumpers, and school shootings the way it uses tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes to get people to watch their programs. Human behavior reporting impacts future human behaviors.”—Loren Coleman
Shooters:
Domestic violenceGang attacks“mass shooters”—mentally ill“mass shooters”—psychologically stressed
Shooters:
Domestic violenceGang attacks“mass shooters”—mentally ill“mass shooters”—psychologically stressed
temporary insanity;
crime of passion
Lord Parker C.J. lacking "the
ability to exercise will-power to
control acts in accordance with
[their] rational judgment".
Shooters:
Domestic violenceGang attacks“mass shooters”—mentally ill“mass shooters”—psychologically stressed temporary insanity; crime of passion
How does the copycat effect influence each?
AGGRESSION
Definition: to harm a member of same species
Theoretical explanations:
Epigenetic/ethological: survival fit; territorial; submit
Psychodynamic: id, frustration-aggression
Behaviorist: reinforced, instrumental, rewards
Social learning: imitation, without reinforcement
Sociocultural: context; gangs
AGGRESSION
Definition: to harm a member of same species
Theoretical explanations:
Epigenetic/ethological: survival fit; territorial; submit
Psychodynamic: id, frustration-aggression
Behaviorist: reinforced, instrumental, rewards
Social learning: imitation, without reinforcement
Sociocultural: context; gangs
Which align with the copycat effect?
TV show: Car 54, Where Are You? “I’ve Been
Here Before”
Season 2 Episode 25
Director: Stanley Prager
Cast: Joe E. Ross, Fred Gwynne, Beatrice Pons,
Lawrence Fletcher, Jake LaMotta
Movie: Deliberate Intent
Year: 2000
Director: Andy Wolk
Cast: Timothy Hutton, Ron Rifkin, Clark Johnson,
Penny Johnson, Cliff De Young
THE COPYCAT EFFECT
Loren Coleman book
Werther effect: 1774 suicides as in Goethe novel; banned
List: suicide clusters; teen suicide clusters; snipers;
planes; self- immolation; cult; workplace; school killings;
songs; milieu; suicide bombers: (kamikaze/terrorists);
celebrities; movies
“It deals with …the power of the mass communication
and culture to create an epidemic of similar behaviors”
Media poses models & disinhibition: breaks down
inhibitions of aggression in those who identify
Teen suicide clusters: Blackouts help.
Death sells: “If it bleeds, it leads.”
Reduced by: not played up; distastefully;
better self-image/culture
Reactions?
THE COPYCAT EFFECT
Loren Coleman book
Werther effect: 1774 suicides as in Goethe novel; banned
List: suicide clusters; teen suicide clusters; snipers;
planes; self- immolation; cult; workplace; school killings;
songs; milieu; suicide bombers: (kamikaze/terrorists);
celebrities; movies
“It deals with …the power of the mass communication
and culture to create an epidemic of similar behaviors”
Media poses models & disinhibition: breaks down
inhibitions of aggression in those who identify
Teen suicide clusters: Blackouts help.
Death sells: “If it bleeds, it leads.”
Reduced by: not played up; distastefully;
better self-image/culture
And mass
shootings?
Does the news reflect reality?
Does the news influence reality?
Can the news create reality?
Does the news reflect reality?
Does the news influence reality?
Can the news create reality?
Does the news reflect reality?
Does the news influence reality?
Can the news create reality?
break
PREVENTION LEVELS
To minimize injury from accident, disease, (other risks):
What can be done?
When can it be done?
For whom?
http://www.k8resources.com/preventionlevels.html
Should we stress primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention
for obesity?
for health care?
for mass shootings?
Should we stress primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention
for obesity?
for health care?
for mass shootings?
Should we stress primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention
for obesity?
for health care?
for mass shootings?
What gun control laws would you like to see?
Type of weapons
Sale of weapons
Transporting weapons
Background checks
Registration of weapons
Which individuals
Waiting period
Types of ammunition
Modifying weapons
Purposes for having a gun
When and where
How carried
What gun control laws would you like to see?
Type of weapons
Sale of weapons
Transporting weapons
Background checks
Registration of weapons
Which individuals
Waiting period
Types of ammunition
Modifying weapons
Purposes for having a gun
When and where
How carried
What else beside gun control would you like to see?
Type of weapons
Sale of weapons
Transporting weapons
Background checks
Registration of weapons
Which individuals
Waiting period
Types of ammunition
Modifying weapons
Purposes for having a gun
When and where
How carried
What else beside gun control would you like to see?
Type of weapons
Sale of weapons
Transporting weapons
Background checks
Registration of weapons
Which individuals
Waiting period
Types of ammunition
Modifying weapons
Purposes for having a gun
When and where
How carried
CHILDREN
Support for at-risk kids
Better anti-bullying
Fewer violent video games
Education for wellness
AT-RISK ADULTS
Better treatment for ill
Red flag laws
Harsher punishments
Less violent tv and movies
Gun buybacks
POLICIES
Better security at events
Lawsuits manufacturer
Corporate responsibility
Consumers advocating
Limit lobbying
Train: “run, hide, fight”
SOCIETAL
Less media coverage
Less poverty; more jobs
More research
More tolerance
Public education campaign
What else beside gun control would you like to see?
Type of weapons
Sale of weapons
Transporting weapons
Background checks
Registration of weapons
Which individuals
Waiting period
Types of ammunition
Modifying weapons
Purposes for having a gun
When and where
How carried
CHILDREN
Support for at-risk kids
Better anti-bullying
Fewer violent video games
Education for wellness
AT-RISK ADULTS
Better treatment for ill
Red flag laws
Harsher punishments
Less violent tv and movies
Gun buybacks
POLICIES
Better security at events
Lawsuits manufacturer
Corporate responsibility
Consumers advocating
Limit lobbying
Train: “run, hide, fight”
SOCIETAL
Less media coverage
Less poverty; more jobs
More research
More tolerance
Public education campaign
Dr. Phil
What else beside gun control would you like to see?
Type of weapons
Sale of weapons
Transporting weapons
Background checks
Registration of weapons
Which individuals
Waiting period
Types of ammunition
Modifying weapons
Purposes for having a gun
When and where
How carried
CHILDREN
Support for at-risk kids
Better anti-bullying
Fewer violent video games
Education for wellness
AT-RISK ADULTS
Better treatment for ill
Red flag laws
Harsher punishments
Less violent tv and movies
Gun buybacks
POLICIES
Better security at events
Lawsuits manufacturer
Corporate responsibility
Consumers advocating
Limit lobbying
Train: “run, hide, fight”
SOCIETAL
Less media coverage
Less poverty; more jobs
More research
More tolerance
Public education campaign
What else beside gun control would you like to see?
Type of weapons
Sale of weapons
Transporting weapons
Background checks
Registration of weapons
Which individuals
Waiting period
Types of ammunition
Modifying weapons
Purposes for having a gun
When and where
How carried
CHILDREN
Support for at-risk kids
Better anti-bullying
Fewer violent video games
Education for wellness
AT-RISK ADULTS
Better treatment for ill
Red flag laws
Harsher punishments
Less violent tv and movies
Gun buybacks
POLICIES
Better security at events
Lawsuits manufacturer
Corporate responsibility
Consumers advocating
Limit lobbying
Train: “run, hide, fight”
SOCIETAL
Less media coverage
Less poverty; more jobs
More research
More tolerance
Public education campaign
“On March 22, Citigroup announced a new policy for
our retail customers who retail firearms. One, they
must perform background checks. Two, they don’t
sell to anyone under 21. And three, they don’t sell
bumpstocks or high-capacity magazines. If
Citigroup’s clients don’t choose to comply, we will
work with them to transition their business to
another financial institution,”
Michael Hole, with Citigroup
What else beside gun control would you like to see?
Type of weapons
Sale of weapons
Transporting weapons
Background checks
Registration of weapons
Which individuals
Waiting period
Types of ammunition
Modifying weapons
Purposes for having a gun
When and where
How carried
CHILDREN
Support for at-risk kids
Better anti-bullying
Fewer violent video games
Education for wellness
AT-RISK ADULTS
Better treatment for ill
Red flag laws
Harsher punishments
Less violent tv and movies
Gun buybacks
POLICIES
Better security at events
Lawsuits manufacturer
Corporate responsibility
Consumers advocating
Limit lobbying
Train: “run, hide, fight”
SOCIETAL
Less media coverage
Less poverty; more jobs
More research
More tolerance
Public education campaign
What else beside gun control would you like to see?
Type of weapons
Sale of weapons
Transporting weapons
Background checks
Registration of weapons
Which individuals
Waiting period
Types of ammunition
Modifying weapons
Purposes for having a gun
When and where
How carried
CHILDREN
Support for at-risk kids
Better anti-bullying
Fewer violent video games
Education for wellness
AT-RISK ADULTS
Better treatment for ill
Red flag laws
Harsher punishments
Less violent tv and movies
Gun buybacks
POLICIES
Better security at events
Lawsuits manufacturer
Corporate responsibility
Consumers advocating
Limit lobbying
Train: “run, hide, fight”
SOCIETAL
Less media coverage
Less poverty; more jobs
More research
More tolerance
Public education campaign
Comments? Questions? Additions?
What else beside gun control would you like to see?
Type of weapons
Sale of weapons
Transporting weapons
Background checks
Registration of weapons
Which individuals
Waiting period
Types of ammunition
Modifying weapons
Purposes for having a gun
When and where
How carried
CHILDREN
Support for at-risk kids
Better anti-bullying
Fewer violent video games
Education for wellness
AT-RISK ADULTS
Better treatment for ill
Red flag laws
Harsher punishments
Less violent tv and movies
Gun buybacks
POLICIES
Better security at events
Lawsuits manufacturer
Corporate responsibility
Consumers advocating
Limit lobbying
Train: “run, hide, fight”
SOCIETAL
Less media coverage
Less poverty; more jobs
More research
More tolerance
Public education campaign
Which five should we stress most?
Peterson and Densley found mass shooters had four
things in common: (1) early childhood trauma and
exposure to violence at a young age; (2) an identifiable
grievance or crisis point; (3) validation for their belief
system, have studied past shootings to find inspiration;
and (4) the means to carry out an attack.…
Each one of the four themes represents an opportunity
for intervention. By reducing access to firearms (means),
slowing contagion (validation), training in crisis
intervention de-escalation (crisis), and increasing access
to affordable mental healthcare (trauma), a mass
shooting can be averted.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_shooting#Motives
Peterson and Densley found mass shooters had four
things in common: (1) early childhood trauma and
exposure to violence at a young age; (2) an identifiable
grievance or crisis point; (3) validation for their belief
system, have studied past shootings to find inspiration;
and (4) the means to carry out an attack.…
Each one of the four themes represents an opportunity
for intervention. By reducing access to firearms (means),
slowing contagion (validation), training in crisis
intervention de-escalation (crisis), and increasing access
to affordable mental healthcare (trauma), a mass
shooting can be averted.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_shooting#Motives
So
