The thrill of being violent as an antidote to posttraumatic stress disorder in Rwandese genocide perpetrators

Abstract

Background The cumulative exposure to life-threatening events increases the risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, over the course of evolutionary adaptation, intra-species killing may have also evolved as an inborn strategy leading to greater reproductive success. Assuming that homicide has evolved as a profitable strategy in humans, a protective mechanism must prevent the perpetrator from getting traumatised by self-initiated violent acts.Objective We thus postulate an inverse relation between a person's propensity toward violence and PTSD.Method We surveyed a sample of 269 Rwandan prisoners who were accused or convicted for crimes related to the 1994 genocide. In structured interviews we assessed traumatic event types, types of crimes committed, the person's appetitive violence experience with the Appetitive Aggression Scale (AAS) and PTSD symptom severity with the PSS-I.Results Using path-analysis, we found a dose-response effect between the exposure to traumatic events and the PTSD symptom severity (PSS-I). Moreover, participants who had reported that they committed more types of crimes demonstrated a higher AAS score. In turn, higher AAS scores predicted lower PTSD symptom severity scores.Conclusions This study provides first empirical support that the victim's struggling can be an essential rewarding cue for perpetrators. The results also suggest that an appetitive aggression can inhibit PTSD and trauma-related symptoms in perpetrators and prevent perpetrators from getting traumatised by their own atrocities.

Appetitive Aggression as a Resilience Factor against Trauma Disorders: Appetitive Aggression and PTSD in German World War II Veterans

“…In agreement with our previous results [26], [27] ex-combatants who reported a higher appetitive aggression experienced less PTSD symptoms. This result is striking from two perspectives: On the one hand the effect on the current PTSD symptom severity is still present, even six decades after the end of the war.…”

“…It also seems to protect the hunter against trauma-related illness. In recent studies with Rwandan genocide perpetrators and with Ugandan child soldiers we could demonstrate that those who reported a greater propensity to appetitive aggression were more resilient towards the development of PTSD [26], [27]. Therefore, appetitive aggression not only achieves gains over status and power, but also prevents perpetrators from getting traumatized in the course of their own atrocities and it allows adaptation to a cruel environment.…”

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Appetitive Aggression in Rwandan Genocide Perpetrators

“…Thus, it is not solely the instrumental gain that drives aggression, but aiming for an intrinsic reward. A number of recent studies have investigated appetitive aggression in Rwandan genocide prisoners (Weierstall, Schaal, Schalinski, Dusingizemungu, & Elbert, 2011), former Congolese combatants (Hecker, Hermenau, Maedl, Elbert, & Schauer, 2012), and child soldiers from Uganda (Weierstall, Schalinski, Crombach, Hecker, & Elbert, 2012). "We became more and more cruel, more and more calm, more and more bloody" is one of numerous statements of Rwandan genocide perpetrators describing appetitive aggression (Hatzfeld, 2004, p. 50).…”

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms, Emotion Dysregulation, and Aggressive Behavior Among Incarcerated Methamphetamine Users

“…As previously mentioned, inmates may more readily experience anger and hostility as well as engage in aggressive behavior in order to manage unwanted trauma symptomology. Some evidence suggests that engaging in violent acts may provide short-term relief from PTSD symptoms (Weierstall, Schaal, Schalinski, Dusingizemungu, & Elbert, 2011).…”