The Psychology of Extreme Violence: A Case Study Approach to Serial Homicide, Mass Shooting, School Shooting and Lone-actor Terrorism

by Clare Allely

Overview

Featuring a unique overview of the different forms of extreme violence, this book considers the psychology of extreme violence alongside a variety of contributing factors, such as brain abnormalities in homicide offenders. Featuring several contemporary real-world case studies, this book offers insight into the psychology of serial homicide offenders, mass shooters, school shooters and lone-actor terrorists.

The main purpose of this book is not to glorify or condemn the actions of these individuals, but to attempt to explain the motivations and circumstances that inspire such acts of extreme violence. By adopting a detailed case study approach, it aims to increase our understanding of the specific motivations and psychological factors underlying extreme violence.

Using nontechnical language, this book is the ideal companion for students, researchers, and forensic practitioners interested in the multidisciplinary nature of extreme violence. This book will also be of interest to students taking courses on homicide, mass shooting, school shooting, terrorism, forensic psychology and criminology and criminal justice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781000061932
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/14/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Clare S. Allely is a Reader in Forensic Psychology at the University of Salford in England and is an affiliate member of the Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre at Gothenburg University, Sweden. Clare is also an Honorary Research Fellow in the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences affiliated to the Institute of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Lastly, Clare is an Associate of the Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice (CYCJ) at the University of Strathclyde.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: The Anatomy of Extreme Violence

Chapter 3: Serial Homicide

Chapter 4: Mass Shooters

Chapter 5. Rampage School Shootings

Chapter 6: The Psychology of Terrorism and Lone-Actor Terrorists

Chapter 7: Conclusion: Threat Assessment and Prevention of Extreme Violence

Index

Editorial Reviews

"The Psychology of Extreme Violence investigates the motivational drivers of those guilty of lone-actor terrorism, school shootings, and serial murder. Through a diverse set of case studies, their mobilisation toward violence is engagingly demonstrated. Collectively, it leaves us with a number of lessons learned for risk assessment and management purposes." —Paul Gill, Professor of Security and Crime Science, University College London, UK

"Extreme killers are often analyzed in overly simplistic terms: either they were mentally ill, or they weren't. Fortunately, Allely brings a more nuanced approach by analyzing how neurological factors, mental disorders, psychological tendencies, environmental variables, and more can interact to produce serial killers, terrorists, and mass shooters. In applied case studies, she then demonstrates how the lives of perpetrators spiral out of control—before they take the lives of others."— Adam Lankford, University of Alabama, USA

From the Publisher