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Great research on violence and why we have the issues we do with violence in our society. It isn't because gun owners have multiple weapons. It's because we see violence all around us in our programming, video games and on the news. I talk about mirror neurons in my work but not normally in this way- this is very powerful stuff! Very professional but readable article with lots of sources.
Human and primate young have an innate tendency to imitate whomever they observe.10,11 Neuroscientists have discovered “mirror neurons” in primates that seem to promote such processing. Consequently, children who observe (in the media or in the environment around them) others exhibiting a specific aggressive behavior, eg, hitting, are more likely to perform the same aggressive behavior immediately. Theoretically, the more similar that children think they and the observed model are, the more readily imitation will take place, but the imitation mechanism is so powerful that even fantasy characters are imitated by young children.
Human and primate young have an innate tendency to imitate whomever they observe.10,11 Neuroscientists have discovered “mirror neurons” in primates that seem to promote such processing. Consequently, children who observe (in the media or in the environment around them) others exhibiting a specific aggressive behavior, eg, hitting, are more likely to perform the same aggressive behavior immediately. Theoretically, the more similar that children think they and the observed model are, the more readily imitation will take place, but the imitation mechanism is so powerful that even fantasy characters are imitated by young children.
204790
Posted from jamanetwork.com
Violence
Mental Health
Firearms and Guns
2nd Amendment
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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Consider too that seeing others held accountable for their actions will have the effect of someone not performing the same or similar actions they saw being punished.
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Lt Col Charlie Brown Very accurate IMO. Fantasy characters when i was growing were Superman,Batman,Roy Rogers, The Lone Ranger,etc. These characters were always portrayed as the best in ethics,morals and values and were good role models,today's "heroes " are vigilantes,criminals,drug dealers and deviates.What can one expect with these for role models seen at every turn? Home environment has some effect,but all the outside media and peer pressure has to make a big impression.
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Ma'am, respectfully, I am not convinced of the "life imitates art" hypothesis of transference from video game violence, media, etc. to active hate and violent acts.
Speaking to the video game idea, the sheer number of worldwide players across nations, demographics and ages would speak clearly to this. Although the U.S. makes a large percentage of worldwide players, there are many countries that don't experience these numbers of violent acts. Great Britain, China, South Korea, Canada, Germany, just to name a few - all have a high concentration of online gamers.
As for other media influences (film, news, etc.) - we've had major media productions for nearly a century, beginning with film, spreading to television in what, the 40s?!?!
The issue of mass violence cannot and should not be condensed into a one-size-fits-all causation. We have a huge problem with gun violence in this country, no one can argue that. We probably need weapon reform more than any other country in the world, and, a radical seizure of assault and high-capacity weapons would probably be a good step forward. But, this is merely the tool and not the motivation. The United States has a litany of cultural issues that feed directly to the psychosis, derangement, and mental instability that is at the root of these occurrences.
Inaccessible mental health services, online bullying, the divisive party politic and agendas, racial and ethnic tensions, a culture of indifference, and of forced moral and ethical precepts. . .we have many roots that feed our problem. We first need to provide solutions to these originations of motive, and I believe we will have taken a positive step towards solving our problem of mass violence.
Speaking to the video game idea, the sheer number of worldwide players across nations, demographics and ages would speak clearly to this. Although the U.S. makes a large percentage of worldwide players, there are many countries that don't experience these numbers of violent acts. Great Britain, China, South Korea, Canada, Germany, just to name a few - all have a high concentration of online gamers.
As for other media influences (film, news, etc.) - we've had major media productions for nearly a century, beginning with film, spreading to television in what, the 40s?!?!
The issue of mass violence cannot and should not be condensed into a one-size-fits-all causation. We have a huge problem with gun violence in this country, no one can argue that. We probably need weapon reform more than any other country in the world, and, a radical seizure of assault and high-capacity weapons would probably be a good step forward. But, this is merely the tool and not the motivation. The United States has a litany of cultural issues that feed directly to the psychosis, derangement, and mental instability that is at the root of these occurrences.
Inaccessible mental health services, online bullying, the divisive party politic and agendas, racial and ethnic tensions, a culture of indifference, and of forced moral and ethical precepts. . .we have many roots that feed our problem. We first need to provide solutions to these originations of motive, and I believe we will have taken a positive step towards solving our problem of mass violence.
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SGT (Join to see)
Mental health industry has always placed folks in door a,b, or c they missed the memo that one-size-does not fit all. In the world of sensationalism, fear and chaos MSM spins their manure and it sticks to far too many who do not want to be bothered.
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