1-2 Journal: Topic Selection Sydney Marchetti Department of Psychology, Southern New Hampshire University PSY- 310 Stephanie Backer-Krisel
I chose to investigate the domestic terrorism scenario. I selected this situation based on many factors. One factor that influenced my decision is the increase in incidents of school shootings in the United States. While it is unfortunate, it is intriguing to investigate and understand the motivations behind those who engage in such heinous acts. I find it intriguing to learn about the factors that motivated them to commit the crime. Typically, these are individuals who have experienced bullying at some stage, a fact that needs to be included in news reporting. This is a heinous act of violence. Seung-Hui Cho, a South Korean native, moved to Virginia with his family at the age of 8. He perpetrated a massacre at Virginia Tech, resulting in the deaths of 32 individuals. Initially, he perpetrated the killing of two individuals. However, he departed and thereafter returned to resume his violent spree of shooting. Upon his return, he proceeded to secure many doors with chains and systematically entered each room, firing his weapon. Cho was bullied from a young age. In middle school, he was diagnosed with anxiety, major depression disorder, selective mutism, and low frustration tolerance. By the time he got to high school he was considered moody, socially distant, and had frequent emotional outbursts. His professor referred to him as a bully and had him removed from her class. I believe that Cho had a rough childhood, which led to him being socially distant and caused him to be bullied his entire life. By the time he was in college he was bullied so much that he snapped.
References: Adams, D. (August 31, 2007). The alienation and anger of Seung-hui Cho. The Roanoke Times. Archived from the original on May 15, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080515215227/http://www.roanoke.com/ vtinvestigation/wb/1301 77 The 'loner' behind campus killing. (2007, April 19). BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6564653.stm