Editorial: Circumspect, respect – Sun.Star

IN THE world of psychology, there is this phenomenon called copycat suicide. It's when one suicide story triggers another or several others. Psychologists have been looking the way of the media and how suicide is reported as having a role in this. And this was way before social media became the rabid no context, no verification, no holds barred sharing of information, both fake and real.

In 2004, sociologist Dr. Steven Stack of the Wayne State University in Detroit and recognized as one of the experts in suicidology, analysed 42 studies on the impact of media's coverage on suicides and its potential of triggering copycats.

His research yielded three explanations for the media impact. First, is plain copycat, where troubled people relate to the stories of the troubled people reported on media who commit suicide, and thus can influence the equally troubled to do the same. Second is differential identification with models, especially when the suicide victim is a celebrity or highly regarded in society or even just among the circle of associates of the troubled.

The third is audience receptiveness. Like the youth being more prone to suicide can have more copycats. That was suicide sans social media.

Today, we have terrorists, jihadists, and yes, the IS, amid the anger that has been brewing all these time, fanned by those who have ill motives. As anger is spread and becomes mainstream, the people feast on reports of terrorist attacks. Anger, agitation, fear, and all negative emotions are dished out by the thousands everyday on social media, the contagion of anger spreads all over. Emotions are high, suspicions higher, and then there are the terror-inclined. Much like the suicide-inclined, really. The warnings have been raised years ago, but our penchant to express our views and little knowledge spurred on by the claim of "my wall-my post" does not heed such warnings, most likely do not even know of such warnings.

"Copycat terrorism makes compelling sense when we understand the simple but deadly psychology of contagion. A phenomenon of 'disinhibition' can occur when suicidal or murderous thoughts - inhibited by conscience, uncertainty or fear - are exposed to what is perceived as the positive consequences of suicide or murder. When this happens, the mental conflict between urges and inhibitions may be resolved, resulting in a suicidal and possibly murderous mind being made up," wrote Paul Marsden, Contagion psychologist and visiting research fellow at the University of Sussex in UK wrote in "Copycat Terrorism: Fanning the fire" published as a letter in the Journal of Memetics-Evolutionary Models of Information Transmission in 2001.

Now here's the difficult part of it all: A lost soul, a loser, and someone who has taken to heart all the injustices of the world will find greater fulfillment when dying for a cause. They may not join IS, but the swag will be tempting.

Now tell us, with the real threat of copycats, should we still remain as selfish as claiming "my wall-my post"?

In this troubled times, the role of a citizen is always to be circumspect in sharing every bit of information picked up without proper verification, but most of all, we must hold high the respect for those tasked to keep our people safe. Do not blow their covers; do not force them to speak up even before they have all the data together. We are all in this together; it can no longer be "my wall, my post." This is all about our country and how we have made it several times over as very enticing for all those who have held the IS in high regard for one reason or another, by opening our mouths and tapping our keyboards even when we shouldn't.

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Editorial: Circumspect, respect - Sun.Star