Narrative Analysis of Written Works from a Small Sample of Mass Shooters with Romantic Struggles

• In Event: Narrative Criminology #1: Narratives Doing and Undoing Crime

Abstract

Recent years have experienced a dramatic increase in the amount of research interest being dedicated to the topic of mass shootings. This increased attention is attributed to the dramatic increase in mass shooting trends in the United States in recent years, with Americans experiencing a likelihood of being a victim of gun violence at a rate of ten times higher than citizens of other prosperous nations. Previous research has explored the prevalence of written expressions of frustration related to failure to connect sexually with another individual, perhaps overlooking expressions of frustration associated with the inability to connect socially in a more general sense. Prior attention has been allocated to exploring the relationship between mass violence and gendered violence due to misogyny being a common link between certain types of mass shooters, while explorations of any expressions of bias toward men (misandry) have been given much less attention. Using a narrative analysis approach, this project explores reoccurring themes in the writings of three mass shooters to deepen understanding of the relationship between expressions of frustration and perceived failures to make social connections.

Author

• Caroline Crutchfield, University of Alabama