Jason R Silva
Biographic Data
| ID | 3838481 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Jason R Silva |
| GIVEN NAMES | Jason R |
| FAMILY NAME | Silva |
| SIGNATURE | SILVA J R |
| AFFILIATIONS | William Paterson University |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-9544-9780 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 16 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 39 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 16 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2017 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Advancing Knowledge of School Shootings
Previous studies of school shootings examine K-12 firearm violence and active shooter incidents at schools, but there is little known about the larger school shooting problem at institutions of higher education. To fill this research gap, the current study examines all school shootings at colleges/universities over 25 academic years (1999–2024). This study determines the severity of incidents and casualties over time; the incident, offender, and …
The psychological and behavioral effects of social isolation on mass shooters
Based on these findings and other research, we propose a new model for social isolation's effects on mass shooters' mental health and their coping mechanisms prior to attack. We also provide illustrative case examples and offer recommendations for future research
Public Mass Shooters Who Target Specific Women
For this study, we closely examined public mass shooters who targeted specific women and quantitatively compared them to other shooters. Results indicate that nearly one-quarter (24%) of public mass shooters in the United States have targeted specific women, the target-offender relationship was usually romantic/sexual or familial, and 80% of the targeted women were ultimately killed. Compared to other mass shooters, perpetrators who targeted spec…
Hate as Backlash
Given the resurgence and mainstreaming of the American far-right in recent years, there is an urgent need to better understand the etiology of recent white supremacist mobilization. In the current study, we investigate white supremacist mobilization primarily as a backlash against two threats perceived by white supremacists: racial threat and gender threat. This study extends the defended neighborhoods and feminist perspectives – frameworks previ…
What Effect does Ideological Extremism have on Mass Shootings? An Assessment of Motivational Inconsistencies, Risk Profiles, and Attack Behaviors
Much like other violent extremists, some mass shooters embrace inconsistent, mixed, or customized beliefs and attack for a combination of personal and ideological reasons. This makes it difficult to understand what effects ideology has on their behavior. To obtain empirical answers, we studied (1) the frequency of extreme ideological interests and motives among public mass shooters, (2) differences between perpetrators with and without extreme id…
Similarities between copycat mass shooters and their role models
The globalization of American mass shootings? An assessment of fame-seeking perpetrators and their influence worldwide
This study examined fame-seeking mass shooters worldwide who attacked from 1999 to 2022 to identify their profiles, behaviours, influences, and trends. Quantitative analyses revealed many similarities between fame-seeking shooters in the United States and in other countries: compared to other mass shooters, they were more frequently young and more likely to target schools, commit suicide, and kill and injure many victims. Fame-seeking mass shoote…
Public mass shootings in developed countries
This study examines the stability and change in public mass shootings in developed countries outside of the United States (2000–2021). Public mass shootings refer to incidents involving public/populated locations, random/symbolic victims, and at least four fatalities. Results identified an increase in the frequency of attacks in developed countries, although particularly deadly incidents remained relatively consistent. Offenders were commonly and…
Global mass shootings
This study compares mass shootings in the US against developed and developing countries (1998–2019). Findings indicate US mass shootings were more likely to involve workplaces, employment/financial problems, relationship problems, and multiple firearms. Mass shootings in all developed countries (including the US) were more likely than developing countries to involve foreign-born perpetrators, ideological motives, fame-seeking motives, schools, op…
A Behavioral Sequence Analysis of Mass School Shooters Examining Stressors, Antisocial Behaviors, Mental Health Issues, and Planning and Preparation Activities
This study examines all completed mass school shooting offenders (1966–2021) using a behavioral sequence analysis of their stressors, antisocial behaviors, mental health issues, and planning/preparation activities. We also conduct isolated analyses of K-12 and college shooters. Findings illustrate a multitude of factors along the sequence from birth to attack for all offenders, with several differences between K-12 and college shooters. We highli…
Contextualizing Firearms in Mass Shooting Incidents
The current study provides a quantitative examination of 634 firearms used in 348 mass shootings (1966–2018) through a unique firearm-level database. Specifically, this work identifies the relationship between the types of firearms, methods of obtainment, firearm regulations, and incident outcomes. Findings indicate the most common firearms were handguns. They were often legally obtained by the perpetrator, from independently owned or operated fe…
Mass Shooting Outcomes
This study examines completed, attempted, failed, and foiled mass shooting outcomes in the United States (2000–2019). Comparative analyses of these four outcomes determine differences in the offender, motive, gun, target, and resolution. Findings indicate predictors of completed outcomes included open-space targets and offender death. Attempted outcome predictors included older offenders, victim-specific motives, and workplace targets. Failed out…
Gender-Based Mass Shootings
This study provides a quantitative examination of gender-based mass shootings in America from 1966-2018. Gender-based mass shootings refer to attacks motivated by grievances against women, divided into four categories based on a specific woman or women in general, as well as whether they directly target the source of their grievances. Findings indicate that specific woman-targeted shooters were the most common and significantly different from the…
An Investigation of Mass Public Shooting Attacks Against Government Targets in the United States
The current study examines mass public shooters who target government agents and institutions in the United States. This research uses a rational choice perspective to examine the incidence, motivations, and target selection. Additionally, this work provides an in-depth investigation of ideological attacks, as well as a comparison against general mass public shooting perpetrator, planning, and incident characteristics. Results indicate non-ideolo…
The media’s coverage of mass public shootings in America
This study uses a media distortion analysis to examine the New York Times coverage of mass public shooting incidents occurring in the United States from 1966 to 2016. A comparison between media coverage and actual incidents is used to identify the characteristics influencing the newsworthiness of mass public shootings. This work expands the breadth and depth of media and mass public shooting research, strengthening the validity of previous findin…
Contesting intersex
As the Western world has increasingly come to frame gender as a spectrum and sexuality as quintessentially diverse, Contesting Intersex provides an absorbing background of an often overlooked biolo
The media’s coverage of mass public shootings in America
This study uses a media distortion analysis to examine the New York Times coverage of mass public shooting incidents occurring in the United States from 1966 to 2016. A comparison between media coverage and actual incidents is used to identify the characteristics influencing the newsworthiness of mass public shootings. This work expands the breadth and depth of media and mass public shooting research, strengthening the validity of previous findin…
Gender-Based Mass Shootings
This study provides a quantitative examination of gender-based mass shootings in America from 1966-2018. Gender-based mass shootings refer to attacks motivated by grievances against women, divided into four categories based on a specific woman or women in general, as well as whether they directly target the source of their grievances. Findings indicate that specific woman-targeted shooters were the most common and significantly different from the…
Mass Shooting Outcomes
This study examines completed, attempted, failed, and foiled mass shooting outcomes in the United States (2000–2019). Comparative analyses of these four outcomes determine differences in the offender, motive, gun, target, and resolution. Findings indicate predictors of completed outcomes included open-space targets and offender death. Attempted outcome predictors included older offenders, victim-specific motives, and workplace targets. Failed out…
An Investigation of Mass Public Shooting Attacks Against Government Targets in the United States
The current study examines mass public shooters who target government agents and institutions in the United States. This research uses a rational choice perspective to examine the incidence, motivations, and target selection. Additionally, this work provides an in-depth investigation of ideological attacks, as well as a comparison against general mass public shooting perpetrator, planning, and incident characteristics. Results indicate non-ideolo…
Global mass shootings
This study compares mass shootings in the US against developed and developing countries (1998–2019). Findings indicate US mass shootings were more likely to involve workplaces, employment/financial problems, relationship problems, and multiple firearms. Mass shootings in all developed countries (including the US) were more likely than developing countries to involve foreign-born perpetrators, ideological motives, fame-seeking motives, schools, op…
A Behavioral Sequence Analysis of Mass School Shooters Examining Stressors, Antisocial Behaviors, Mental Health Issues, and Planning and Preparation Activities
This study examines all completed mass school shooting offenders (1966–2021) using a behavioral sequence analysis of their stressors, antisocial behaviors, mental health issues, and planning/preparation activities. We also conduct isolated analyses of K-12 and college shooters. Findings illustrate a multitude of factors along the sequence from birth to attack for all offenders, with several differences between K-12 and college shooters. We highli…
Hate as Backlash
Given the resurgence and mainstreaming of the American far-right in recent years, there is an urgent need to better understand the etiology of recent white supremacist mobilization. In the current study, we investigate white supremacist mobilization primarily as a backlash against two threats perceived by white supremacists: racial threat and gender threat. This study extends the defended neighborhoods and feminist perspectives – frameworks previ…
Similarities between copycat mass shooters and their role models
The globalization of American mass shootings? An assessment of fame-seeking perpetrators and their influence worldwide
This study examined fame-seeking mass shooters worldwide who attacked from 1999 to 2022 to identify their profiles, behaviours, influences, and trends. Quantitative analyses revealed many similarities between fame-seeking shooters in the United States and in other countries: compared to other mass shooters, they were more frequently young and more likely to target schools, commit suicide, and kill and injure many victims. Fame-seeking mass shoote…
Public mass shootings in developed countries
This study examines the stability and change in public mass shootings in developed countries outside of the United States (2000–2021). Public mass shootings refer to incidents involving public/populated locations, random/symbolic victims, and at least four fatalities. Results identified an increase in the frequency of attacks in developed countries, although particularly deadly incidents remained relatively consistent. Offenders were commonly and…
Contesting intersex
As the Western world has increasingly come to frame gender as a spectrum and sexuality as quintessentially diverse, Contesting Intersex provides an absorbing background of an often overlooked biolo
An Investigation of Mass Public Shooting Attacks Against Government Targets in the United States
The current study examines mass public shooters who target government agents and institutions in the United States. This research uses a rational choice perspective to examine the incidence, motivations, and target selection. Additionally, this work provides an in-depth investigation of ideological attacks, as well as a comparison against general mass public shooting perpetrator, planning, and incident characteristics. Results indicate non-ideolo…
The media’s coverage of mass public shootings in America
This study uses a media distortion analysis to examine the New York Times coverage of mass public shooting incidents occurring in the United States from 1966 to 2016. A comparison between media coverage and actual incidents is used to identify the characteristics influencing the newsworthiness of mass public shootings. This work expands the breadth and depth of media and mass public shooting research, strengthening the validity of previous findin…
Gender-Based Mass Shootings
This study provides a quantitative examination of gender-based mass shootings in America from 1966-2018. Gender-based mass shootings refer to attacks motivated by grievances against women, divided into four categories based on a specific woman or women in general, as well as whether they directly target the source of their grievances. Findings indicate that specific woman-targeted shooters were the most common and significantly different from the…
Contextualizing Firearms in Mass Shooting Incidents
The current study provides a quantitative examination of 634 firearms used in 348 mass shootings (1966–2018) through a unique firearm-level database. Specifically, this work identifies the relationship between the types of firearms, methods of obtainment, firearm regulations, and incident outcomes. Findings indicate the most common firearms were handguns. They were often legally obtained by the perpetrator, from independently owned or operated fe…
Mass Shooting Outcomes
This study examines completed, attempted, failed, and foiled mass shooting outcomes in the United States (2000–2019). Comparative analyses of these four outcomes determine differences in the offender, motive, gun, target, and resolution. Findings indicate predictors of completed outcomes included open-space targets and offender death. Attempted outcome predictors included older offenders, victim-specific motives, and workplace targets. Failed out…
Public mass shootings in developed countries
This study examines the stability and change in public mass shootings in developed countries outside of the United States (2000–2021). Public mass shootings refer to incidents involving public/populated locations, random/symbolic victims, and at least four fatalities. Results identified an increase in the frequency of attacks in developed countries, although particularly deadly incidents remained relatively consistent. Offenders were commonly and…
Global mass shootings
This study compares mass shootings in the US against developed and developing countries (1998–2019). Findings indicate US mass shootings were more likely to involve workplaces, employment/financial problems, relationship problems, and multiple firearms. Mass shootings in all developed countries (including the US) were more likely than developing countries to involve foreign-born perpetrators, ideological motives, fame-seeking motives, schools, op…
A Behavioral Sequence Analysis of Mass School Shooters Examining Stressors, Antisocial Behaviors, Mental Health Issues, and Planning and Preparation Activities
This study examines all completed mass school shooting offenders (1966–2021) using a behavioral sequence analysis of their stressors, antisocial behaviors, mental health issues, and planning/preparation activities. We also conduct isolated analyses of K-12 and college shooters. Findings illustrate a multitude of factors along the sequence from birth to attack for all offenders, with several differences between K-12 and college shooters. We highli…
Similarities between copycat mass shooters and their role models
The globalization of American mass shootings? An assessment of fame-seeking perpetrators and their influence worldwide
This study examined fame-seeking mass shooters worldwide who attacked from 1999 to 2022 to identify their profiles, behaviours, influences, and trends. Quantitative analyses revealed many similarities between fame-seeking shooters in the United States and in other countries: compared to other mass shooters, they were more frequently young and more likely to target schools, commit suicide, and kill and injure many victims. Fame-seeking mass shoote…
Advancing Knowledge of School Shootings
Previous studies of school shootings examine K-12 firearm violence and active shooter incidents at schools, but there is little known about the larger school shooting problem at institutions of higher education. To fill this research gap, the current study examines all school shootings at colleges/universities over 25 academic years (1999–2024). This study determines the severity of incidents and casualties over time; the incident, offender, and …
The psychological and behavioral effects of social isolation on mass shooters
Based on these findings and other research, we propose a new model for social isolation's effects on mass shooters' mental health and their coping mechanisms prior to attack. We also provide illustrative case examples and offer recommendations for future research
Public Mass Shooters Who Target Specific Women
For this study, we closely examined public mass shooters who targeted specific women and quantitatively compared them to other shooters. Results indicate that nearly one-quarter (24%) of public mass shooters in the United States have targeted specific women, the target-offender relationship was usually romantic/sexual or familial, and 80% of the targeted women were ultimately killed. Compared to other mass shooters, perpetrators who targeted spec…
Hate as Backlash
Given the resurgence and mainstreaming of the American far-right in recent years, there is an urgent need to better understand the etiology of recent white supremacist mobilization. In the current study, we investigate white supremacist mobilization primarily as a backlash against two threats perceived by white supremacists: racial threat and gender threat. This study extends the defended neighborhoods and feminist perspectives – frameworks previ…
What Effect does Ideological Extremism have on Mass Shootings? An Assessment of Motivational Inconsistencies, Risk Profiles, and Attack Behaviors
Much like other violent extremists, some mass shooters embrace inconsistent, mixed, or customized beliefs and attack for a combination of personal and ideological reasons. This makes it difficult to understand what effects ideology has on their behavior. To obtain empirical answers, we studied (1) the frequency of extreme ideological interests and motives among public mass shooters, (2) differences between perpetrators with and without extreme id…
Criminology (14 works) · Gun Ownership and Violence Research (13 works) · Psychology (13 works) · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies (11 works) · Political science (10 works) · Law (9 works) · Crime Patterns and Interventions (6 works) · Law (6 works) · Medicine (6 works) · Poison control (6 works)