When I first began working on my research essay, I had intended to dissect the value of interpersonal relationships on one’s development and integration into society. However, as my research progressed, I found a growing interest in the mindset and background of school shooters. To be more precise, what motivates them to commit such heinous acts. In my research, I narrowed it down to three primary factors: inherent mental illnesses, home life, and peers. However, it is imperative to note that there is no way to quantify the percentage of school shooters that were impacted by one category more so than the others– moreover, it is impossible to develop an adequate conclusion with only 3000 words. Despite this, there is substantial evidence to defend the likelihood of the three aforementioned factors being at the root of most school shooters. 

SOURCE ONE

Leng, M., & Song, H. (2023). Contributors to Antisocial Behavior in Adolescence from the Perspective of Developmental Psychology: A Case Study on a School Mass Shooting. Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, 9, 158-165. https://doi.org/10.54097/ehss.v9i.6442

Background: The signs leading up to a school shooter executing his plan. “Meanwhile, at the end of October 2021, Ethan’s best friend moved away and his family dog died, which caused him to become depressed.” This quote is among many others that will help to develop a foundation for my claim that inadequate socialization can cause mental disturbances on a person’s psyche. In this specific reference, the school shooter’s behaviors leading up to the event indicated mental instability, including the change in contact with his best friend. By losing that socialization, that foundation for human contact, the perpetrator fell down a slippery slope. 

How I used it: I used this quote to showcase how the lack of socialization, or the change in socialization, in one’s environment can negatively impact their psyche and perception of the world around them if left unchecked. The weeks leading up to the incident are indicators that the perpetrator was already thinking about committing his crime for an extended period of time before it occurred. If he had been properly socialized, if he had someone there for him, he wouldn’t have been considering those things. In my final research paper, this source is consistently quoted, as the Ethan Crumbley case provides significant evidence for home life and peers being contributing factors. 

SOURCE TWO

Alevizopoulos Giorgos. (2017). School shootings: A Review of the Characteristics and the Psychopathology of the Perpetrators. Journal of Forensic Sciences & Criminal Investigation, 2(5). https://doi.org/10.19080/jfsci.2017.02.555598

Background: The common factors of a school shooting, and the signs that were missed. “‘Shooters were considered outcasts and “weird” but not all of them were “loners”’ [12]. Their peer groups shared analogous interests in violence, making even harder the ‘reality check’ on behalf of the perpetrator [14].” This quote is a strong indicator of what a “typical school shooter” can be described as. Of course, there is no one category, but it is important to note similar aggressive and antisocial behaviors that may indicate hostility. 

How I used it: I used this source in a similar fashion to how I used its predecessor. It will serve as a valuable foundation for my argument of the poor socialization of individuals that leads to poor integration into society and increased hostility and violent behaviors. Even in cases when the perpetrator did have friends, those friends were seen as negative influences, and similar to the individual that committed the crime. The shooter’s peers often encouraged violence, and shared many of the same ideals. This is in great contrast to the typical assumption that school shooters were loners. 

SOURCE 3

Reindl, M., Burkhard Gniewosz, & Reinders, H. (2016). Socialization of emotion regulation strategies through friends. Journal of Adolescence, 49(1), 146–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.03.008

Background: This source examines the relationship between socialization through friendships and the positive impacts it has on emotional regulation habits. It insinuates that the more socialized an individual is, the better emotional regulation habits they develop as they grow up. 

How I used it: This source was valuable in setting up the foundation of my view for my final thesis, and overall paper. Though my original idea for my thesis was to observe friendship, this source encouraged me to delve further into how socialization can impact an individual. In fact, this source led me down the rabbit hole to disproving my original hypothesis regarding socialization’s impact. As we observe in Source 2, whether or not an individual has friends does not impact whether or not they are violent. Even school shooters could have friends: despite what the assumption typically is.

SOURCE 4

Parker, R. (2013). A Qualitative Data Analysis: The Effects Of Loneliness On Social Interactions Among Middle School Students. 6(3). https://doi.org/10.5561/5062

Background: This source displays data surrounding how loneliness impacts social interactions in middle school students. During one of the most fundamentally influential parts of a young adult’s life, they are their most impressionable in middle school. This is, typically, the time that they start developing the personality traits and belief systems that are going to stay with them into adulthood. Individuals in this age group that are displaying lonely tendencies are going to struggle with social interactions at that time, and they are going to be unable to adequately acclimate to social norms as they grow up and enter the world. 

How I used it: This qualitative dataset provided an interesting take on socialization during a pivotal point in one’s life. As these middle school students grow into teenagers, and begin to have access to more things, the socialization that they experience may determine what kind of person that they become. This data aided my initial research, and my hypothesis that those who are lonely and poorly socialized are not as well acclimated to society as those who have friend groups and consistently socialize. This data helped to develop my final claim, and the concept that I introduce regarding how peers can impact each other. The people we surround ourselves with can 

SOURCE 5

Soares, F. B., Anatoliy Gruzd, Jacobson, J., & Hodson, J. (2023). To troll or not to troll: Young adults’ anti-social behaviour on social media. PLoS ONE, 18(5), e0284374–e0284374. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284374

Background: The internet behaviors of the “antisocial” individuals of our society are much different than the average social media user. Many individuals that are not adequately acclimated in society will log online to troll people, and post crude content to illicit reactions from unsuspecting users of various platforms. But why? Are they seeking these reactions as revenge for their social inadequacy? Is this their way of interacting with others? Do they want attention or companionship? 

How I used it: These behaviors raise more questions than answers, but provided interesting insight into the behaviors of those who are deemed antisocial. I used this data to observe some of the less extreme behaviors of those who are not as well adjusted into society. Not every socially awkward individual is inherently a violent person. Some may just not be comfortable interacting with society face to face, and prefer to retire to the digital sphere, so that their face is hidden, and they have less social norms and obligations. Since my paper was focused on an extreme side of the social spectrum, this data helped me to understand the less intense aspects of being socially inept.

SOURCE 6

Tuvblad, C., & Baker, L. A. (2011). Human Aggression Across the Lifespan. Advances in Genetics, 171–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-380858-5.00007-1

Background: Genetic and environmental factors both contribute to aggression. Around 50% of aggressive behavior is due to genetics, while the other half is influenced by personal life experiences. Some people may be more impacted by their environment because of their genetic makeup, with family problems and social challenges playing a role. To test this, studies with twins and adoptees were conducted.

How I used it: This source was invaluable in attributing hereditary factors to one’s aggression. By referencing the twin studies, I was able to establish a connection between parents and offspring that could not be boiled down solely to social aspects. SInce mental illnesses can be genetically passed down, this source was imperative in establishing that connection. Depending on their parents, people can be more predisposed to different things, like addiction or depression, even if they do not interact with the people passing those traits down. 

SOURCE 7

Langman, P. (2008). Rampage school shooters: A typology. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 14(1), 79–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2008.10.003

Background: This article examines 10 school shooters, categorizing them into three types: traumatized, psychotic, and psychopathic. Traumatized shooters had abusive backgrounds, psychotic shooters had schizophrenia-related disorders, and psychopathic shooters displayed narcissism and lack of empathy. Additional factors like family structure, role models, and peer influence were considered, though most individuals with these traits don’t commit violence.

How I used it: I used this source in my rebuttal, though I wish that I had found it sooner. It provided thoughtful insight and examples about ten separate school shooters, and who they were before their respective shootings. This data proved imperative in my development of a counterargument, as it provided a basis for me to poke holes in. However, some of the data presented in this source also supported my conclusion, and assisted my knowledge when I revised my other papers.