Without real understanding of the intentions of violent perpetrators, such violence will continue and grow. The question is: How do individuals and situations transform persons to commit violent acts? In a unique study (Kraft, 2015) researchers discovered what perpetrators had to say about their own violence by analyzing the transcripts and videotape of 61 interviews from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings. In this process perpetrators – both defenders and opponents of apartheid - discussed their violent acts in a public forum in exchange for amnesty.
Investigators found that violent perpetrators did not think of themselves as cruel or as having done wrong. They engaged in ongoing collective harm doing (i.e., car bombs in crowded public areas and massacres) for righteous reasons including fulfilling personal ideological and moral codes. They felt morally justified engaging in violent acts driven by destructive ideologies. They viewed their behaviors as beneficial to their good cause, whether they were detractors or defenders of apartheid. Perpetrators on both sides believed that they were engaged in meaningful work and became increasingly violent over time as they attained status and exercised creativity in planning violence in their work with the organization.
Fulfilling an ideology is a powerful motivator; it triggers feelings of superiority and alleviates feelings of injustice, vulnerability, distrust, and helplessness. However, the good intentions of fulfilling ideology through violence did not prevent many perpetrators from having second thoughts. Many perpetrators recounted using alcohol to disassociate from their violent acts.
This research shows that individuals began with good intentions for a ‘good’ cause that led them to increasingly violent acts. In areas with entrenched conflict, belief in the rightness of doing harm for a cause is escalated very quickly. Prevention efforts should address the perceived rightness of harm doing for the perpetrators and seek to promote ideologies of openness and nonviolent ways of conflict resolution.
Reference:
Kraft, R. N. (2015). The good intentions of violent perpetrators: A qualitative analysis of testimony from South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Peace and Conflict: The Journal of Peace Psychology, 21, 359–377. http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1037/pac0000079
Photo Credit: Moyan Brenn