LOTUS FM Radio talk
Violence in schools
by Jimmy Henderson

Source: Independent on Saturday 23 Aug
The case of Morne Harmse (Sword attack- Nic Diederichs Technical High school in Kugersdorp)
He wore mask similar to Metal Band slipknot frontman Cory Taylor and used a ninja sword to kill the other boy and wound the workers. It has been said that there is no link between the violence on TV and this incident.
Other reported facts
Indications are that he planned the attack and was pessimistic about the future
It was reported that he had relationship problems with parents who did not have much faith in him.
Parents reported
School and parents not aware of problems (so they say)
Parents and friends claim he was bullied
Other sources that he talked about doing violent things
After the killing
Do you want to see something cool? Smiled. I killed three didn’t I?’
Satanic stuff found in room
Psychological testing
Handwriting expert Yossi Vissoker checked his handwriting -called writer ‘troubled, dark imagination and seeking an outlet’ Full of turmoil, feelings of helplessness-possible past trauma (ready to snap)

My comment
• I did a lot of research into this matter and discovered that there are a lot of many older studies from the 1970’s and 1980’s which have shown a link between aggression and violence and the media (TV, movies, DVD etc)
• Prof (Laurens Shlebush (Univ KZ Natal) (SA expert on teenage suicide and depression) (You magazine) says that emotionally immature persons are being exploited by the music industry and that they do imitate the behavior of bands.
• Experts agree that the strong words and message of hardcore music are not the cause, but must be taken into consideration. (3rd Degree ETV 26 August)
General conclusion: ‘Observation of violence is related to aggressive behavior’
(Tesser 1995)
• This research has been shown to be true both for laboratory and naturalistic studies.
• There are many others as well but I am only quoting the research most relevant to this case.
 Eisengberg 1980 –Children who see violence on TV are more aggressive than others who do not
 Wood et al 1991- Observation of media violence enhances aggression in similar settings
 Lefkowitz et al 1977- Amount of televised violence watched by boys correlates highly with aggressiveness in same young men 10 years later.
 Huesman and Eron 1986- Aggression has been shown to be related to the degree with which boys identified with aggressive characters on TV in 5 different countries. (***** very applicable to Morne Harmse who identified strongly with the members of the band)

• Increased aggression from TV and other media can happen in a number of ways :
 Someone sees how a person commits violence and gets away with it or becomes a hero. (Perry & Perry 1976) (Huesman & Eron 1986)
 They imitate or emulate violent behavior (Role models)
(Bandura et al 1973)
 They are influenced by the words of the songs or statements. Music groups can easily influence young people who lack direction with destructive messages. It can replace his or her existing moral framework. Prof Laurens Shlebush (Univ KZ Natal) (SA expert on teenage suicide and depression) (You magazine)
 The violent images cause excitement and this arousal becomes anger directed at the people who are upsetting him. (Zillman 1988)

• Role of anger- Some research indicates that aggression is a normal reaction to anger and is directed at the person seen to be the cause (Zillman 1979)
 Anger results in aggressiveness to stop the cause ( Felson 1984)
(Morne’s case –He may have acted to stop the bullying)
 A person that has been insulted or humiliated may feel angry and try to hurt another in order to restore their self-esteem (Felson 1984)
(Morne’s case –He was insulted and humiliated by bullies)
 .Children can also be quiet and reserved while boiling with resentment. (Psychologist Janine Beetge: You magazine)

• Frustration
 Frustration may also lead to aggression (unable to find a suitable outlet or someone to talk to ) (Dollard et al 1938)
 Violence and aggression occurs to relieve the frustration.
 They can hide their frustration and one simple stimulus can unleash violence. (Psychologist Janine Beetge: You magazine)
 Music can be a form of escapism or to release frustration )
( Prof Marie Poggenpoel and Chris Myburgh –Univ JHB (RSG)

Factors playing a role in aggression
DEF: Aggression =a response to specific conditions in the environment (stress)
(Tessar 1995)
• The South African situation ( RSG radio programme 22 August 2008)
Prof Marie Poggenpoel and Chris Myburgh –Univ JHB
National school violence study (Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention ) which showed the following:
 Children as young as 9 & 10 are hurting their teachers.
 Half of SA teachers do not feel safe.
• Department of Education
 Security guards to be deployed at schools
 Knife attacks on pupils by other pupils becoming commonplace
Factors
• The social systems shows that there are a number of factors which can influence aggressive behaviour,
• Most psychologists agree that aggression involves a predisposing state in the individual as well as an external stimulus (or trigger).
• Remember that these factors form a cycle and influence each other, but each of them plays an important part in a person’s actions and behaviour
 Individual factors such as personality
 The child or person’s home life
 The culture and prevailing social conditions (society)
Personality
• Some old research talks of aggressive drives leading to a ‘death wish’ (Frued 1915). This self-destructive drive can be turned towards others.
• Although most psychologists now believe that aggression is more a response to specific conditions in the environment (stress and frustration) (Tessar 1995)
• Some research indicates that people can inherit a temperament which lends itself to aggression. (Dodge 1980)
 Studies have shown that small children with aggression were still aggressive 10 -14 years (Olweus 1979)
 IQ (inherited ) can also affect aggression as a low IQ can result in frustration from bad school results and also affect ones ability to understand the consequences of your actions.
 Certain brain centres are involved in aggression (Moyer 1976) These are
activated by stress. High activity levels in these centres may be inherited
 Aggression is partly due to hereditary factors. Some factors involved in aggression can be inherited. Temperaments, neural, endocrine and other biological systems. (Rushton et al 1986 /Buss and Plomis 1984)
Home life
One’s home life can also be a source of frustration and anger at home.
• Social learning.
Aggressive behaviour can be acquired at home through imitation and role models.
This can be maintained by reinforcement (How his previous aggressive behaviour
was dealt with by his parents (discipline or lack thereof) (Bandura et al 1973)
 Children are not being taught social and conflict handling skills ( Prof Marie Poggenpoel and Chris Myburgh –Univ JHB (RSG)
 Children are not been taught or internalizing proper values. They then develop a disrespect for others ( Prof Marie Poggenpoel and Chris Myburgh –Univ JHB (RSG) (Bandura et al, 1973)
• Parents are struggling to cope with demands of modern life. They feel defeated and negative themselves. This influences their children. Parents need to be a positive influence and example. (Dr. Antony Constandius : ‘You’ magazine)
• Other Problems at home (causing stress and frustration)
 Lack of proper communication
 Bad relationships with parents
 Abuse, neglect, deprived (poverty ) alcoholism, divorce,
 Poverty - Humiliation and deprivation can lead to frustration and anger
(3rd degree 26Aug ETV : Morne’s area is a poor area)
Morne’s case
• There appears to be a long history of problems at home and that he felt socially isolated (Prof Marie Poggenpoel and Chris Myburgh –Univ JHB (RSG))
• Other reports indicate that he was lonely, introverted, isolated , had no friends and experienced feelings of hopelessness and rejection as a result of his problems at school. (‘You’ magazine, 28 August 2008)
• The boy was obviously lonely, insecure and obsessed (by ninja culture) There is evidence that he was also bullied and excluded from his peer group (alienated). And that this resulted in an act of vengeance (3rd degree 26Aug ETV)
• He was described as quiet, with a low self-esteem and self-worth. He felt he had to act to assert himself. In doing this he was seeking attention and acting out ‘the hero’ (3rd degree 26Aug ETV)
The society we live in
• The trigger may just be in the social environment (Morne’s case)
• Situations that pose a threat to his welfare or sense of well-being (Zillman 1984)
• Peer pressure -Peer pressure can cause anti-social behaviour. Rejection can result in a strong need to punish others and show them how powerful your really are. (Joan van Niekerk –Childline in ‘You’ magazine)
• A culture of violence (Geen, 1990)
 Symbols of violence in the mass media
 Some cultural values could encourage aggression
 For example, - You need to defend yourself with force
Violence is justified in some cases (war)
 These enter into our beliefs systems and attitudes
• The current crime and violence in our country places stress on people (3rd degree 26Aug ETV)

• Violent subcultures (Wolfgang & Ferrecuti 1967)
 Gangs have rules which could include use of violence
 Satanism ‘Satan made me do it’ (Morne) Can be linked to violent behavior (rituals) Chatsworth & Phoenix residents claim of satanistic acts by children. Many school expulsions due to Satanism. Desecration of gravestones, chanting etc, threats to residents. Also a link with drink and drugs. (Independent on Saturday)
• The media
 Research has shown violence in the media to be a factor
 Experts agree that children who are already emotionally unstable can be pushed to the edge by influences such as heavy metal, violent videogames and satanic clothing and symbols. (Joan van Niekerk-Childline in ‘You’ Magazine)
 Music groups can easily influence young people who lack direction with destructive messages. It can replace his or her existing moral framework. Prof (Laurens Shlebush (Univ KZ Natal) (expert) (You magazine)
 Someone sees how a person commits violence and gets away with it or becomes a hero. (Perry & Perry 1976)
 Violent role models who get away with it (Bandura et al )
 Words and images cause excitement and arousal (hyped up ) (Zillman 1988) interpreted as anger.
• Technology ( Prof.Laurens Shlebush (Univ KZ Natal) (expert) (You magazine)
 Emotionally immature persons are being exploited by music industry.
 They do imitate their behaviour.
 Technology can allow teenagers to escape from reality (TV, internet, DVD’s )
 The internet can create worlds of fantasy

• In Morne’s case- The music and mask can create a psychological separation or disconnection from reality (fantasy) (This was even admitted by the band members)

Solutions
• Department of Education (RSG radio programme 22 August 2008)
 Security guards to be deployed at schools
• Other solutions (Tesser 1995)
Home
 Research shows that prevention begins early, at home with young children
 Need to improve socialization and child-rearing practices
• Community
 We need preventative programs at government level and at schools
 Training and education, discussions, debates, DVD’s
 Need to improve community support structures (counselling)
 We need to change the society
 Reduce exposure to symbols and images of violence (Eron 1986)

Sources
Aggression in schools : RSG radio programme on 22 August
Independent on Saturday : 23 August 2008
Tessler, A.(Ed) (1995).Advanced social psychology. Macgraw Hill, Inc.
‘You’ magazine, 28 August 2008
3rd Degree ETV TV Programme : 26 August