A cross-cultural review of sudden mass assault by a single individual in the oriental and occidental cultures

Anthony G. Hempel; Ruth E. Levine; J. Reid Meloy; Joseph Westermeyer

doi:10.1520/jfs14732j

A cross-cultural review of sudden mass assault by a single individual in the oriental and occidental cultures

Anthony G. Hempel, Ruth E. Levine, J. Reid Meloy, Joseph Westermeyer

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

A nonrandom sample of North American cases of sudden mass assault by a single individual (SMASI, n = 30) is compared with a nonrandom sample of Laotian amok cases (n = 18) and other amok studies. Perpetrators in both studies show evidence of social isolation, loss, depression, anger, pathological narcissism, and paranoia, often to a psychotic degree. The term 'innovative perpetrator' is reintroduced and expanded upon. Similarities among samples far outweigh differences, leading the authors to conclude that SMASI and its appearance in different cultures is not a culture-bound syndrome.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	582-588
Number of pages	7
Journal	Journal of Forensic Sciences
Volume	45
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1520/jfs14732j
State	Published - May 2000

Keywords

Amok
Forensic psychiatry
Forensic science
Homicide
Mass murder
Predatory violence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Genetics

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10.1520/jfs14732j

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abstract = "A nonrandom sample of North American cases of sudden mass assault by a single individual (SMASI, n = 30) is compared with a nonrandom sample of Laotian amok cases (n = 18) and other amok studies. Perpetrators in both studies show evidence of social isolation, loss, depression, anger, pathological narcissism, and paranoia, often to a psychotic degree. The term 'innovative perpetrator' is reintroduced and expanded upon. Similarities among samples far outweigh differences, leading the authors to conclude that SMASI and its appearance in different cultures is not a culture-bound syndrome.",

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AU - Westermeyer, Joseph

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AB - A nonrandom sample of North American cases of sudden mass assault by a single individual (SMASI, n = 30) is compared with a nonrandom sample of Laotian amok cases (n = 18) and other amok studies. Perpetrators in both studies show evidence of social isolation, loss, depression, anger, pathological narcissism, and paranoia, often to a psychotic degree. The term 'innovative perpetrator' is reintroduced and expanded upon. Similarities among samples far outweigh differences, leading the authors to conclude that SMASI and its appearance in different cultures is not a culture-bound syndrome.

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KW - Mass murder

KW - Predatory violence

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A cross-cultural review of sudden mass assault by a single individual in the oriental and occidental cultures

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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