Aggressive Acts
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Aggressive Acts: Nashville School Shooting
Ricci L Dyson
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon University
PSY-530: Social and Cultural Psychology
Dr. Barbara Chappell
October 25, 2023
Introduction
Three children and three staff members were killed when an armed attacker broke into Nashville's Covenant School in March. Audrey E. Hale, the gunman, was a 28-year-old former student undergoing treatment for a mental illness. Hale also identified as transgender. Hale was assigned female at birth. The school and its church were likely targets, although the authorities have not yet established a motive. The gunman had spent months planning the attack, according to the evidence. The gunman's notes, which may provide insight into him motivation, have not been made public despite a court dispute between the church, the school, and the parents of Covenant School pupils opposing their publication (Hassan & Cochrane, 2023).
Background
Audrey Hale was being treated by a doctor for an "emotional disorder," according to Hale's parents, who also happened to reside with the gunman. The year before to the incident, Hale received a degree from Nashville's Nossi College of Art & Design. Hale took home the "Most Improved" and "Class Participation" medals from Nossi. Former basketball player Averianna Patton remarked that Hale was "very quiet, very shy," and the two of them would joke
around (Zdanowicz, 2023). Former middle school classmate Destanee Thomas told ABC News that Hale would "vent" on social media. She said that Hale had been posting a lot about depression for a few weeks prior to the shooting (Bruggeman et al., 2023).
After the shooting, there was a behavioral threat assessment done on Hale. The report stated that Hale’s animosity for attending this institution most likely served as motivation for him
to carry out a mass shooting. Given that Hale was assigned as female at birth but later identified as a member of the transgender community and adopted the pronouns he/him, it is possible that Hale had grievances against the Christian institution and its teachings. Given that Hale’s gender
identification was not supported by this religious narrative, Hale probably felt shunned. Hale apparent grievances were probably exacerbated by the purported religious beliefs of Hale’s parents. On the day of the attack, Hale intended to die and wanted to die, which suggests that Hale plotted to provoke police to shoot Hale to drive Hale to commit suicide, a phenomenon known as suicide-by-cop. Hale was being treated by a physician for an emotional problem, so it is quite likely that investigations into Hale’s mental state at the time of the shooting will take place (Khalife et al., 2023).
Social Learning Theory and School Shooting
The examination of the variables influencing school shootings necessitates a sophisticated and comprehensive methodology, since these catastrophic incidents lack a singular explanation. The Social Learning Theory is one theoretical framework that can be used to explain some of the causes. It asserts that aggressive conduct is acquired through socialization and by observing other people. The social environments in which school shooters grew up may have encouraged violence or aggressive conduct. This could involve seeing violent acts in their neighborhood, at home, or in the media. Aggression as a strategy for addressing problems or resolving conflicts may become normalized through observational learning. According to the Social Learning Theory, people are more inclined to embrace rewarding or reinforced behaviors. School shooters can see their acts as a means of gaining recognition, power, or retribution. Even when media coverage criticizes an action, it may unintentionally encourage it by making the offender famous. Certain school gunmen might imitate the behaviors of other gunmen they've witnessed in the media. Because these occurrences are widely publicized, there may be a "copycat effect," in which people are motivated by other people's actions and think that doing the
same will make them noticed or solve their issues (Branscombe & Baron, 2016).
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People can become desensitized to the negative effects of using violence if they are exposed to it in the media and on internet platforms. They could lose empathy and be more inclined to see using violence to get their complaints heard or their frustrations out. Peers are important for social learning. A prospective school shooter may be more prone to do violent acts to blend in or win the acceptance of their peers if they are affiliated with a group that promotes or
glorifies violence. Sometimes, those who are most likely to carry out a school shooting don't have supportive relationships or healthy coping mechanisms for stressful situations. They may become more aggressive as a perceived solution to their issues because of this lack of supervision (Branscombe & Baron, 2016)
.
Preventative Measures A multifaceted strategy including several stakeholders, such as schools, communities, families, and government organizations, is necessary to prevent school shootings. Mental health support is one preventive action that may have been used. For adolescents experiencing emotional or psychological problems, early detection and assistance are essential.
increased community and school access to mental health services. Educating teachers and staff to
spot pupils' emotional distress symptoms. Preventing bullying is another method.
Put anti-bullying initiatives into action to make schools inclusive and safe. Promote honest discussion regarding instances of bullying. Support and guidance should be given to both bullies and their victims. Schools should also put in place stronger security protocols. By using tools like panic buttons, security cameras, and controlled entry points, you may improve physical security. Staff, teachers, and students receive regular emergency response training and drills. On school grounds, schools can impose zero tolerance policies regarding threats of violence and
weapons possession. Students and parents should be made aware of the implications of such activities.