Since 2013, there have been at least 175 school shootings in United States which is an average of nearly once a week. School shooting started in 1966 at the University of Texas. Charles Whitman is the United State’s first school shooter. He had killed 14 people, wounded another 24, and had even managed to hit an airplane. In psychology, his violent behavior can be interpreted with 4 different perspectives; psychodynamic, behavioral, humanistic, and cognitive. In the psychodynamic theory, Sigmund Freud explains people’s peculiar, violent behaviors by blaming the id which is the core driving force that seeks out immediate satisfaction for deepest emotions, desires, etc. The id could lead one’s behavior to outside of societal norms. It is the ego that helps keep the id in check. On Whitman’s note it says “I don’t really understand myself these days. I am supposed to be an average, reasonable, and intelligent young man.” His id has …show more content…
Humanistic psychologists believe that an individual's behavior is connected to his or her inner feelings and self-image. The humanistic perspective centers on the view that each person is unique and individual, and has the free will to change at any time in his or her lives. It also suggests that people are each responsible for their own happiness and well-being as humans. “ I consulted a Dr. Cochrum at the University Health Center and asked him to recommend someone that I could consult with about some psychiatric disorder I felt I had. I talked with a doctor once for about two hours and tried to convey to him my fears that I felt overcome by overwhelming violent impulses. After one session I never saw the doctor again, and since then I have been fighting my mental turmoil alone, and seemingly to no avail.” The consultation with the doctor did not satisfy Whitman’s needs or comfort his anxiety. Later on that night, he killed his wife and