Mass School Shootings: Pyschosocial Characteristics in the Lives of Perpetrators

Abstract

In the interest of contributing an integrative psychological perspective to a growing body of research, this dissertation identifies factors in the biographies of school shooters that prior research and theory suggest might be related to their shootings. In addition, it identifies previously neglected factors that appear to be relevant. Research is limited to 19 cases of rampage shootings occurring at a primary or secondary school without a single specific target. Tables displaying psychological and social characteristics reveal a high occurrence of depression, violent obsessions, violent environments, family conflict, and a lack of prosocial activities, as well as a lack of other positive motivations. The relevance of these psychosocial factors is viewed through the integrative lens of the Catholic Christian Meta-Model of the Person.