2/29/2024 0 Comments Homicidal thoughts depression![]() ![]() Kenrick and Sheets ( 1993) conducted two studies with college students as subjects to address just this limitation. This tells us little about the psychology process of homicide in typical individuals. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of research on homicide fantasies, with most of the research historically focused on criminals or the pathological (e.g., Prentky et al., 1989). Thus, homicide ideation may or may not evidence planning or persistence of homicide directed actions, whereas premeditation does. The deliberation or planning of a homicide is premeditation. Elaborate homicide thoughts may include considerations of how to actually commit the murder, or the costs and benefits of this strategy. These thoughts may be fleeting or may be more elaborate. ![]() Homicide ideation or fantasy involves thinking about committing murder. Unseen in homicide statistics are the violent or homicide fantasies and premeditation that may precede the commission of the behavior. Further, as Kenrick and Sheets ( 1993) note, actual homicides are simply the tip of the iceberg. Although this is important, it does not directly address the psychological process of homicide. In studying homicide, much effort has been devoted to researching actual homicide rates. Because there is scant empirical work directed at testing for homicidal thoughts within specific contexts, we then present three experiments designed to measure the extent to which individuals spontaneously generate homicidal and violent thoughts in response to relevant cues.Homicidal Ideation and Premeditation We discuss homicide ideation and premeditation from the perspective of homicide adaptation theory (HAT) and the by-product hypothesis. In this research, we are interested in the spontaneous thoughts that are generated in response to contexts in which homicide actually takes place. Thus, not only is the mental process that results in homicide behavior understudied, but it is a potentially valuable source of empirical evidence that can speak to legal issues as well as explanations of homicide. Yet research on homicide thoughts has the potential to inform us about issues of intent and premeditation, key issues in a legal setting. ![]() Most research on homicide has primarily concerned homicide behavior (e.g., Reza, Mercy, & Krug, 2001 Shackelford, Buss, & Weekes-Shackelford, 2003 Wilson & Daly, 1985), with comparatively little research having been directed towards understanding homicide thoughts. Determining whether a homicide (i.e., an interpersonal attack directed against another human that results in a fatality, Daly & Wilson, 1988) was committed with intent to kill and whether it was premeditated or not is important, as it directly relates to length of incarceration, and in some cases whether the death penalty can be sought (see title 18 U.S.C. Homicide can be an unintentional act, or a spontaneous act occurring in the heat of the moment and without any prior intent, or, like the previous quotation, homicide can be premeditated, occurring with planning and prior intent. ‘I am thinking,’ he remarked quietly, ‘whether I shall add to the disorder in this room, by scattering your brains about the fireplace’ (Collins & Sutherland, 1996, p.
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