Mass Shootings: The Role of the Media in Promoting Generalized Imitation

Abstract

Mass shootings are a particular problem in the United States, with one mass shooting occurring approximately every 12.5 days. Recently a "contagion" effect has been suggested wherein the occurrence of one mass shooting increases the likelihood of another mass shooting occurring in the near future. Although contagion is a convenient metaphor used to describe the temporal spread of a behavior, it does not explain how the behavior spreads. Generalized imitation is proposed as a better model to explain how one person's behavior can influence another person to engage in similar behavior. Here we provide an overview of generalized imitation and discuss how the way in which the media report a mass shooting can increase the likelihood of another shooting event. Also, we propose media reporting guidelines to minimize imitation and further decrease the likelihood of a mass shooting.

Understanding Mass Killing in America: A System Dynamics Approach

“…However, imitation can help identify the causes. A similar problem of imitation found in suicides by the World Health Organization resulted in suicide media guidelines to reduce sensationalism, and thus suicides due to imitation (Meindl & Ivy, 2017). According to Meindl and Ivy (2017), imitation is more likely if the person being imitated is similar to the imitator in age, gender, life story, etc., has an elevated social status, is seen being rewarded, and is seen as competent.…”

“…A similar problem of imitation found in suicides by the World Health Organization resulted in suicide media guidelines to reduce sensationalism, and thus suicides due to imitation (Meindl & Ivy, 2017). According to Meindl and Ivy (2017), imitation is more likely if the person being imitated is similar to the imitator in age, gender, life story, etc., has an elevated social status, is seen being rewarded, and is seen as competent. Sensationalized media detailing the methodology of a killer, their backstory, manifesto, and body counts give notoriety and increase the probability for imitation (Meindl & Ivy, 2017).…”

“…According to Meindl and Ivy (2017), imitation is more likely if the person being imitated is similar to the imitator in age, gender, life story, etc., has an elevated social status, is seen being rewarded, and is seen as competent. Sensationalized media detailing the methodology of a killer, their backstory, manifesto, and body counts give notoriety and increase the probability for imitation (Meindl & Ivy, 2017). Unfortunately, the media does not appear to be slowing down sensational news reports of mass killings in the future because of the potential for views and revenue (Meindl & Ivy, 2017).…”

“…Sensationalized media detailing the methodology of a killer, their backstory, manifesto, and body counts give notoriety and increase the probability for imitation (Meindl & Ivy, 2017). Unfortunately, the media does not appear to be slowing down sensational news reports of mass killings in the future because of the potential for views and revenue (Meindl & Ivy, 2017). The imitation problem is not as noticeable in homicides because the large number of incidents making sensationalism less likely.…”

“…Towers et al (2015) fit a contagion model to high profile acts of violence to explain the rise of mass killings. Meindl and Ivy (2017) build on this but argue that imitation is a better representation of the cause of the increase of violence, not a contagious ideation for killing.…”