NCJ Number
35635
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE SPEAKER ON THIS TAPE, A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, PRIEST, PROFESSOR, AUTHOR, AND RESEARCHER, DISCUSSES THE COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF VIOLENT PERSONS AND STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING OUR FEELINGS ON VIOLENCE.
Abstract
DRAWING FROM HIS EXTENSIVE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPERIENCE, CHARACTERISTICS COMMON TO HIS VIOLENT PATIENTS AND TO VIOLENT STUDENTS ARE IDENTIFIED BY THE SPEAKER. THESE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: VIOLENCE OCCURS IN RESPONSE TO A PROVOCATIVE STRESS (THREATS TO SELF-ESTEEM OR MASCULINITY); IT IS UPSETTING TO THE VIOLENT INDIVIDUAL TO KNOW THAT HE HAS LOST CONTROL; VIOLENT ACTING-OUT IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH FEELINGS OF HELPLESSNESS AND HOPELESSNESS, FEELINGS OF ABANDONMENT, AND FEELINGS OF GUILT (ALTHOUGH THE ORIGINS OF THESE GUILT FEELINGS ARE INDETERMINABLE TO THE ACTOR); AND THESE PEOPLE HAVE ONLY EXPERIENCED MINIMAL PHYSICAL CONTACT BETWEEN THEMSELVES AND OTHERS (OFTEN THE ONLY CONTACT WITH OTHERS CAME DURING FIGHTS). WHEN DEALING WITH VIOLENT PEOPLE WE MUST BECOME AWARE OF THE FEELINGS THAT ARE ELICITED IN US BY THEIR BEHAVIOR. THESE INCLUDE THE SAME EMOTIONS THAT THEY ACT OUT, I.E., RAGE, ANGER, AND HOSTILITY. OTHER REACTIONS WE MAY GENERATE (OR WHICH MAY BE TOUCHED UPON) INCLUDE HOPELESSNESS, FEELINGS OF ABANDONMENT, AND FEAR OF BEING ALONE. WE MAY ALSO FEEL FRIGHT BECAUSE VIOLENT PEOPLE ARE SCARY PEOPLE. THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF LABELING MUST BE KEPT IN MIND WHEN THESE PEOPLE ARE DEALT WITH. THE SPEAKER ALSO FIRMLY BELIEVES THAT VIOLENT PEOPLE AND STUDENTS SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS, BUT IN A SCHOOL SETTING THIS IS ONLY POSSIBLE WITH THE TOTAL SUPPORT OF THE ENTIRE FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATION, AS WELL AS THE STUDENT'S FAMILY AND COMMUNITY. FOR THE ENTIRE SERIES OF TAPES FROM THE VIOLENCE AND VANDALISM CONFERENCE, SEE NCJ-35621, 35623-35627, 35629-35635, 35637, 35638, AND 35640-35645.