A narrative often used in the wake of a mass shooter incident these days is one which suggests these crimes are taking place because of a mental illness crisis in America. These young men are victims of mental health who act out on the psychotic impulses of their bipolar or schizophrenic condition with unmentionable violence. If society wants to solve these mass shootings, so goes the argument, it must address the issue of mental health first and gun control, if need be, later.
While politicians have been successful so far in spreading this definition of mass shooters, Dick Greenbaum, with some four decades behind him as a Talbot County public school psychologist and later in private practice, wants to correct this mischaracterization.
Citing numerous research on mass shooters, Greenbaum notes that only 4% have a significant, diagnosable mental disorder before the crime. The typical shooter is instead socially isolated, lacks interpersonal skills, is neglected at home or bullied at school, and often feels mistreated or undervalued. Those factors can lead to depression but not a diagnosable psychosis.
Dick Greenbaum suggests that these young men, fueled by revenge fantasies, seek validation, gain access to weapons, and act out violently to gain notoriety. Their actions are not rooted in mental illness but in a complex mix of social factors, personal grievances, and harmful cultural influences like video games and social media.
While the answers to stop mass shootings remain challenging, Dick believes it’s essential to understand more clearly who these young men are before we can ever hope to end this violent behavior. He came by the Spy Studio last month to talk more about the mind of a mass shooter.
This video is approximately five minutes in length.
Gerald G Newell says
I just watched the presentation by Dr. Greenbaum regarding the mental/social situation that mass shooters find themselves in. His observations and comments make a lot of sense.
My question is: Is there a practical, sensible solution to this problem. Nothing being tried s3eems to be working.
Brian H. Childs says
Thank you Dr Dick Greenbaum for this. It seems too that the fascination with guns as social equalizers is also involved or maybe that is what is crazy and the enabling factor for these lonely and alienated usually young men?
John W Voris says
The issue remains, most people who exhibit all the characteristics mentioned, don’t commit mass shootings. Just as not all poor people rob stores or riot.
Discovering why mass murders are committed is not an inductive process but a deductive one beginning with thier Life Motivation and working down.
Mary Reeser , Retired TC Principal says
I totally agree with Dr. Greenbaum’s analysis of shooters and mental health issues. Lack of socialization seems to be a characteristic of many mass shooters. One factor causing this I believe is violent video games often played with their friends, whom they have never met . You win these games by killing the most people then you get to restart the game. The true reality of life and death is lost.
Our focus for help should be on early identification and providing opportunities for social interaction