What is it about the Connecticut school shooter that drove him commit such an atrocity?

[Robert_Sock]

From a psychological perspective I would say low morale in a demanding, secular world. A person who learned to attribute personal and social shortcomings to society at large. Somebody with a ‘chip’ on their shoulder. As having a PhD in psychology, I do not see it as a monumental task to change the cognitions in such a person. It’s ashame nobody ever got into his head from within a therapeutic setting. I’ll bet his rejection by members of the opposite sex played a key role. I’ll also bet that his inability to gain a rewarding job made him depressed and irrational.

 

[meltzerboy]

From a psychological perspective I would say low morale in a demanding, secular world. A person who learned to attribute personal and social shortcomings to society at large. Somebody with a ‘chip’ on their shoulder. As having a PhD in psychology, I do not see it as a monumental task to change the cognitions in such a person. It’s ashame nobody ever got into his head from within a therapeutic setting. I’ll bet his rejection by members of the opposite sex played a key role. I’ll also bet that his inability to gain a rewarding job made him depressed and irrational.

As you know, Robert, some people like this commit suicide, others commit homicide, while still others kill other people and themselves. Depression is most likely the cause, brought on by a biological vulnerability exacerbated by family relationships, normative societal expectations, perceptions of inadequacy, and real-life failures. In addition, young people are developmentally more prone to feeling psychological pain more deeply and expressing their feelings more completely. The sociological triggers of a violent culture on a person such as this also play a significant role. It’s a pity that most 20-year-olds are too young to have learned sufficient coping skills to manage disappointments in life and are too impatient to realize things can and most likely will change in their lives for the better. It’s an even greater pity that innocent people, including children, become the unwilling sacrificial lambs for such people.

 

[Pat_Albertson]

EXCLUSIVE: Fear of being committed may have caused Connecticut gunman to snap

 

[Robert_Sock]

As you know, Robert, some people like this commit suicide, others commit homicide, while still others kill other people and themselves. Depression is most likely the cause, brought on by a biological vulnerability exacerbated by family relationships, normative societal expectations, perceptions of inadequacy, and real-life failures. In addition, young people are developmentally more prone to feeling psychological pain more deeply and expressing their feelings more completely. The sociological triggers of a violent culture on a person such as this also play a significant role. It’s a pity that most 20-year-olds are too young to have learned sufficient coping skills to manage disappointments in life and are too impatient to realize things can and most likely will change in their lives for the better. It’s an even greater pity that innocent people, including children, become the unwilling sacrificial lambs for such people.

I believe he had Asperger’s, which led him to have trouble making friends. This is a behavior that should have been picked up on by the teachers, and therapy should have been offered to him. I understand that currently it’s not the teachers responsibility to recommend psychological therapy. If this is true, perhaps we need to have teacher recommendations count.

 

[AdamP88]

Perhaps none of these things, perhaps he was a sociopath who enjoyed watching kids die…we’ll never know.

But perhaps the question that should be asked is what is in the psyche of Americans that they refuse to let go of their Guns. Surely this would happen less if gun laws were tougher?

 

[PaladinGamer]

Perhaps none of these things, perhaps he was a sociopath who enjoyed watching kids die…we’ll never know.

But perhaps the question that should be asked is what is in the psyche of Americans that they refuse to let go of their Guns. Surely this would happen less if gun laws were tougher?

Surely not, if statistics hold true. Violent crime and murder rise when guns are taken away from law-abiding citizens.

Besides, if we want to talk mass murder, Americans hardly have a monopoly on it, Europe just tends to formalize it a bit more to full out totalitarianism and genocide by states.

 

[Schism_hater]

But perhaps the question that should be asked is what is in the psyche of Americans that they refuse to let go of their Guns.

:thumbsup:It is mass pathology masquerading as a “right”. Ultimately, it is an idolatry.

 

[fhansen]

As you know, Robert, some people like this commit suicide, others commit homicide, while still others kill other people and themselves. Depression is most likely the cause, brought on by a biological vulnerability exacerbated by family relationships, normative societal expectations, perceptions of inadequacy, and real-life failures. In addition, young people are developmentally more prone to feeling psychological pain more deeply and expressing their feelings more completely. The sociological triggers of a violent culture on a person such as this also play a significant role. It’s a pity that most 20-year-olds are too young to have learned sufficient coping skills to manage disappointments in life and are too impatient to realize things can and most likely will change in their lives for the better. It’s an even greater pity that innocent people, including children, become the unwilling sacrificial lambs for such people.

I wonder where “psychological pain” comes from to begin with-why humans are so prone to it, relatively speaking. It seems to be related to narcissism, to overly sensitive egos, and while I’m sure this is all related to immaturity and/or some way in which a person’s been stunted from developing properly, I tend to think that even the healthiest minded of us are subject to being overly sensitive/protective of the self. Anyway, makes me wonder why.

 

[meltzerboy]

Perhaps none of these things, perhaps he was a sociopath who enjoyed watching kids die…we’ll never know.

But perhaps the question that should be asked is what is in the psyche of Americans that they refuse to let go of their Guns. Surely this would happen less if gun laws were tougher?

I’m all for tighter regulations of guns. However, even the most fervent gun control advocate must admit that in a mass shooting such as this, guns per se are not the CAUSE of the behavior but rather one of the significant triggers (no pun intended) of a violent culture. Equally as important, a thorough re-examination of and some changes in the mental health system in hospitals and as it pertains to the school responsibilities of school psychologists, guidance counselors, principals, teachers, and security officers, are called for.

 

[grasscutter]

I have no reason or interest in participating in this particular dialogue. And, I am still compelled to say: [BEING A HUMAN BEING WITH ASPERGER’S SYNDROME DOESN’T MAKE SOMEONE TO BE OR PRE-DISPOSED TO BE A KILLER!!!**

Yours truly,

A loving mother of a young man with Asperger’s syndrome.

 

[Robert_Sock]

I wonder where “psychological pain” comes from to begin with-why humans are so prone to it, relatively speaking.

I believe it’s created by classical conditioning whereby emotionally charged states are repressed into the unconscious. Such can be developed during childhood where these unconscious conflicts never get worked-through.

 

[meltzerboy]

I believe it’s created by classical conditioning whereby emotionally charged states are repressed into the unconscious. Such can be developed during childhood where these unconscious conflicts never get worked-through.

Where does the classical conditioning (Pavlov) fit? I can understand the psychodynamic model you’re presenting, but associative learning as well?

 

[Peggy_in_Burien]

I have no reason or interest in participating in this particular dialogue. And, I am still compelled to say: [BEING A HUMAN BEING WITH ASPERGER’S SYNDROME DOESN’T MAKE SOMEONE TO BE OR PRE-DISPOSED TO BE A KILLER!!!**

Yours truly,

A loving mother of a young man with Asperger’s syndrome.

Thank you, Grasscutter, as I am the mother, aunt, and grandmother of children with Aspergers, as well as having it myself.

 

[aegsemj]

I wonder where “psychological pain” comes from to begin with-why humans are so prone to it, relatively speaking. It seems to be related to narcissism, to overly sensitive egos, and while I’m sure this is all related to immaturity and/or some way in which a person’s been stunted from developing properly, I tend to think that even the healthiest minded of us are subject to being overly sensitive/protective of the self. Anyway, makes me wonder why.

Original sin.

 

[Robert_Sock]

Where does the classical conditioning (Pavlov) fit? I can understand the psychodynamic model you’re presenting, but associative learning as well?

Classical conditioning can occur when emotionally-charged events get repressed without getting worked through. The classical conditioning can come into play when the events themselves are forgotten but the memory of the emotion (conditioned reflex) stays intact. Something triggers these unconscious emotions to surface on a moments notice, through classical conditioning.

When will psychologists learn to combine classical learning theory with psycho-dynamics? Doing so offers deep explanations and understanding of mental disorders. In fact, Pavlov’s book on relating classical conditioning to mental illnesses was banned in the Western world! Such a book existed, but got banned for untold reasons.

 

[meltzerboy]

Classical conditioning can occur when emotionally-charged events get repressed without getting worked through. The classical conditioning can come into play when the events themselves are forgotten but the memory of the emotion (conditioned reflex) stays intact. Something triggers these unconscious emotions to surface on a moments notice, through classical conditioning.

When will psychologists learn to combine classical learning theory with psycho-dynamics? Doing so offers deep explanations and understanding of mental disorders. In fact, Pavlov’s book on relating classical conditioning to mental illnesses was banned in the Western world! Such a book existed, but got banned for untold reasons.

It’s kind of like trying to mix oil and water, but nonetheless it may be a good idea.

 

[fhansen]

Original sin.

I’m sure that’s the right answer-just not sure how it all works. Humans seem to desire more than they need-and even love doesn’t necessarily suffice to fill that desire. I guess the threefold aspects of concupiscence drive us all into territory we don’t need to go to in one way or another.

 

[Qoeleth]

He was clearly ostracized, and probably bullied. I feel society as a whole has to take responsbility for his actions. We need to become more compassionate to outsiders. He is also a victim of this act of violence. There blood is on all our hands.

What amazes me is that such things do not happen everyday. I suppose for ever 1,000 kids who just quietly kill themselves, one decides to take revenge on the society that pushed them to this point.

 

[meltzerboy]

He was clearly ostracized, and probably bullied. I feel society as a whole has to take responsbility for his actions. We need to become more compassionate to outsiders. He is also a victim of this act of violence. There blood is on all our hands.

What amazes me is that such things do not happen everyday. I suppose for ever 1,000 kids who just quietly kill themselves, one decides to take revenge on the society that pushed them to this point.

You suppose correctly. Suicide is a silent epidemic in this country.

 

[zizki1974]

“what that drove him commit such an atrocity?”

It’s difficult (impossible) to say, but I sincerely believe it is partly a failure of society. Perhaps those who were close to the shooter (parents, teachers, friends, clergy) and the rest of the community in general failed see the evil devouring him and did not do anything about it.

The tragedy is a sad reflection of society’s loss of dignity and sancity for life. Thousands (tens of thousands) die everyday through murder (via guns, abortions, genocide, euthanasia…) and it continues.

The bottom line - this tragedy is proof of the wickedness and snares of the devil. Let us pray…

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.