On the occasion of the horrific act of violence, the well-known Graz psychiatrist Manfred Walzl explains in an interview what drives copycats.
“crown”: The current case immediately makes you think of the crime in Graz: could it be an act of imitation?
Manfred Walzl: I won’t make a remote diagnosis, but parallels are obvious and there are always freeriders. At this time, we are also shocked by the brutal massacre in a Serbian village that followed a school eruption.
What drives a copycat criminal?
A certain admiration for the perpetrator and the ‘confirmation’ that a crime has ‘worked’ that way before. It may also be that an act beforehand is the last impetus for putting into practice an act of violence that was previously only thought of.
Are we generally more prone to violence?
Yes, and no wonder. You turn on the television and within three minutes you have three dead; that makes you numb, makes brutality part of everyday life and “normal”. Violence is also glorified. Just like rappers sing about it, they are applauded. There are barriers.
How can you counter this development?
With a fundamental change in society. With parents who set boundaries again. Solving problems within the family is becoming less and less common these days. Empathy is becoming increasingly rare, civil courage is becoming the exception. It must develop again in the opposite direction – as quickly as possible and with all its might.
That was the eleventh murder of a woman. What can you do to prevent it?
Not much, sober. Many perpetrators do not disclose their crimes and are not even noticed in advance.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
