The Psychology of Killing

The Combat Experience of British Soldiers during the First World War

Datos Bibliográficos

ID10076423
AutoresEdgar Jones (0000-0002-4610-9584, Institute of Psychiatry and King’s Centre for Military Health Research, London, autor de correspondencia)
Año2006
Volumen41
Número2
Páginas229-246
Fecha de publicación2006-03-30
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Contemporary History (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0022-0094 • E-ISSN: 1461-7250
EditorialSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0022009406062055
OpenAlexW2145415002
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas13
Referencias 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