Teasing, rejection, and violence: Case studies of the school shootings

TLDR

Recent school shootings have been linked by commentators to social rejection, yet no empirical study has tested this claim. The authors performed case studies of 15 school shootings from 1995 to 2001 to investigate social rejection as a potential driver of school violence. Rejection—whether ostracism, bullying, or romantic rejection—was identified in all but two of the incidents, and shooters often displayed additional risk factors such as firearm interest, fascination with death or Satanism, or psychological problems, underscoring the importance of addressing these factors to prevent school violence. © 2003 Wiley‑Liss, Inc., pp.

Abstract

Abstract Media commentators have suggested that recent school shootings were precipitated by social rejection, but no empirical research has examined this claim. Case studies were conducted of 15 school shootings between 1995 and 2001 to examine the possible role of social rejection in school violence. Acute or chronic rejection—in the form of ostracism, bullying, and/or romantic rejection—was present in all but two of the incidents. In addition, the shooters tended to be characterized by one or more of three other risk factors—an interest in firearms or bombs, a fascination with death or Satanism, or psychological problems involving depression, impulse control, or sadistic tendencies. Implications for understanding and preventing school violence are discussed. Aggr. Behav. 29:202–214, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.