The Nature of Mass Murder and Autogenic Massacre

Abstract

Incidents of mass murder have gained considerable media attention, but are not well understood in behavioral sciences. Current definitions are weak, and may include politically or ideological motivated phenomenon. Our current understanding of the phenomenon indicates these incidents are not peculiar to only western cultures, and appear to be increasing. Methods most prominently used include firearms by males who have experienced challenging setbacks in important social, familial and vocational domains. There often appears to be important autogenic components (Mullen Behavioral Sciences and the Law (22)3, 2004), including dysthymic reactions and similar antecedents. There have been observations of possible seasonal variations in mass murders, but research to date is inadequate to establish this relationship. It is recommended behavioral sciences and mental health researchers increase research efforts on understanding mass killings, as the current socioeconomic climate may increase vulnerability to this phenomenon, and the incidents are not well understood despite their notoriety.

Patterns of Multiple Family Homicide

“…Even though familicide has an enduring presence throughout history and across cultures, there is surprisingly limited research examining this most extreme form of family violence. It is important to note that some studies lump multiple family homicides together with other forms of mass murder (see, for example, Bowers, Holmes, & Rhom, 2010): the killing of two or more victims in one event (Delisi & Scherer, 2006). Multiple family homicides, however, are believed to originate and evolve from largely independent etiologies.…”

Violence is Rare in Autism: When It Does Occur, Is It Sometimes Extreme?

“…Currently there are enormous gaps in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of a mass shooter (Bowers et al, 2010). One of the primary reasons for this type of research still being in its infancy is the fact that conventional research techniques would struggle in attempting to address these gaps in our understanding.…”

“…First, blocked goal achievement (e.g., being expelled from school or fired from work) and second, negative social interactions (e.g., bullying by fellow students) (Ames, 2005;Duncan, 1995;Duwe, 2007;Fox & Levin, 1994;Langman, 2009;Lankford & Hakim, 2011;Levin & Madfis, 2009;Lieberman, 2006;Newman & Fox, 2009;Newman et al, 2004;O'Toole, 2000;Rugala, 2003;Vossekuil et al, 2002). Mass shooters typically isolate themselves socially, cutting themselves off from emotional support and have relatively little or no close relationships or intimate contact with others (Fox & Levin, 2003;Hempel & Richards, 1999;Aitken, Oosthuizen, Emsley, & Seedat, 2008;Mullen, 2004;Levin & Madfis, 2009;Bowers, Holmes, & Rhom, 2010). Mass shooters are frequently single or divorced (Hempel & Richards, 1999), with no family or friends that can influence their behavior in a positive way (Levin & Madfis, 2009;Bowers et al, 2010).…”

“…Mass shooters typically isolate themselves socially, cutting themselves off from emotional support and have relatively little or no close relationships or intimate contact with others (Fox & Levin, 2003;Hempel & Richards, 1999;Aitken, Oosthuizen, Emsley, & Seedat, 2008;Mullen, 2004;Levin & Madfis, 2009;Bowers, Holmes, & Rhom, 2010). Mass shooters are frequently single or divorced (Hempel & Richards, 1999), with no family or friends that can influence their behavior in a positive way (Levin & Madfis, 2009;Bowers et al, 2010).…”

Change and stability in offender, behaviours, and incident‐level characteristics of mass public shootings in the United States, 1984–2015

“…Research on mass murder generally, and mass public shootings specifically, shows that these perpetrators tend to be White males (Delisi & Scherer, ; Fox & Levin, ). Their life histories tend to be plagued with psychosis, depression, emotional strain, and isolation (Bowers, Holmes, & Rhom, ). These individuals also exhibit a high degree of social ineptitude; that is, they tend to be socially withdrawn and, as a result, they generally have trouble forming meaningful relationships.…”