Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2017 Active Shooter Event Severity, Media Reporting, Offender Age and Location Philip Joshua Swift Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Communication Commons, Interactive Arts Commons, and the Public Policy Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Philip Swift has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Jonathan Cabiria, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty Dr. James Herndon, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty Dr. Stephen Rice, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2017 Active Shooter Event Severity, Media Reporting, Offender Age and Location by Philip J. Swift MS, Forensic Psychology, Walden University, 2013 MBA, American Intercontinental University, 2006 MBA, American Intercontinental University, 2005 BS, Criminal Justice, American Intercontinental University, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Forensic Psychology Walden University February 2017 Abstract Following the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, it was hypothesized that offenders used knowledge gained from news media reports about previous events to plan mass shootings. Although researchers have studied active shooter events, little research has been conducted on the factors that influence an active shooter’s decision and ability to carry out such events. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the rate of news media reporting about an active shooter event and the casualty rate of the ensuing event in the United States. The bracketed time of this assessment was between April 20, 1999, and June 15, 2016. The age and regional location of the subsequent shooters were examined as moderating variables. Social learning and social cognitive theories constituted the theoretical framework. Data were gathered from existing mass shooting and active shooter studies, Google News, and the ProQuest Central database. A Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed no significant relationship between the rate of news media reporting about an active shooter event and the casualty rate of the ensuing event. The age and regional location of subsequent shooters were not moderating variables. However, a Spearman’s correlation analyses did reveal a significant relationship between the casualty rate of an active shooter event and the amount of news media coverage the event received prior to the ensuing event. The study finding clarified the need for active shooter reporting guidelines, similar to existing suicide reporting guidelines. The implementation of such guidelines could reduce the regularity and severity of active shooter events, thereby improving public safety in the United States by reducing the regularity and severity of active shooter events. Active Shooter Event Severity, Media Reporting, Offender Age and Location by Philip J. Swift MS, Forensic Psychology, Walden University, 2013 MBA, American Intercontinental University, 2006 MBA, American Intercontinental University, 2005 BS, Criminal Justice, American Intercontinental University, 2005 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Forensic Psychology Walden University February 2017 Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to the victims of and the first responders whose lives were forever changed by the horrific events that formed the foundation of this study. Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge my family and friends who have supported me throughout my academic career and the members of my dissertation committee, Drs. Jonathan Cabiria, James Herndon, and Stephen Rice, whose guidance throughout the dissertation process was invaluable to my success. Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................1 Background ....................................................................................................................3 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................6 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................7 Research Questions and Hypotheses .............................................................................8 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................10 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................12 Definitions....................................................................................................................15 Terms .................................................................................................................... 15 Assumptions .................................................................................................................18 Limitations, Delimitations, and Scope .........................................................................20 Significance..................................................................................................................23 Summary ......................................................................................................................24 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................25 Introduction ..................................................................................................................25 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................28 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................29 Symbolic Learning ................................................................................................ 33 i Vicarious Learning................................................................................................ 34 Violent Mass Media and Aggression .................................................................... 37 Symbolic, Vicarious Learning and Behavioral Outcomes .................................... 39 Key Variables and Concepts ........................................................................................42 Firearm Accessibility ............................................................................................ 42 Age ........................................................................................................................ 43 Firearms Legislation ............................................................................................. 46 Regional Location ................................................................................................. 53 Media Reporting ................................................................................................... 54 Active Shooter Events........................................................................................... 59 Implications of Past Research on Present Research ....................................................65 Literature Relating to Differing Methodologies ..........................................................67 Summary and Conclusions ..........................................................................................70 Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................73 Introduction ..................................................................................................................73 Research Questions and Hypotheses .................................................................... 75 Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................78 Independent Variable ............................................................................................ 82 Moderating Variables............................................................................................ 83 Dependent Variable .............................................................................................. 85 Methodology ................................................................................................................87 Population ............................................................................................................