The Psychology of Killing

The Combat Experience of British Soldiers during the First World War

Dados Bibliográficos

ID10076423
AutoresEdgar Jones (0000-0002-4610-9584, Institute of Psychiatry and King’s Centre for Military Health Research, London, autor correspondente)
Ano2006
Volume41
Fascículo2
Páginas229-246
Data de publicação2006-03-30
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Contemporary History (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0022-0094 • E-ISSN: 1461-7250
EditoraSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0022009406062055
OpenAlexW2145415002
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas13
Referências citadas1

The hypothesis that soldiers took pleasure in killing during the first world war is assessed in the light of particular forms of evidence and the reports of military psychiatrists. The impersonal nature of combat and motives of snipers are also explored. An analysis of admissions to a shell-shock treatment unit suggested that soldiers exposed to the greatest risk of being killed were particularly prone to breakdown in battle. An outlet for aggressive instincts did not protect individuals against psychological disorders. Because of the taboo surrounding killing even when sanctioned in war, personal motives and emotional responses remain areas of uncertainty

Ancient history · Battle · Combat stress reaction · Criminology · Instinct · Pleasure · Political science · Psychiatry · Psychoanalysis · Psychotherapist · Taboo · Health and Conflict Studies · Historical Psychiatry and Medical Practices · History · Law · Psychology · Social Psychology · World Wars: History, Literature, and Impact