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PSYCHOANALYTIC VIEW OF VANDALISM (FROM VANDALISM AND OUTDOOR RECREATION - SYMPOSIUM PROCEEDINGS, 1976 - SEE NCJ-58042)

NCJ Number
58047
Author(s)
R J SOKOL
Date Published
1976
Length
4 pages
Annotation
PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS OF VANDALISM ARE EXPLORED, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR REDUCING THE INCIDENCE OF VANDALISM IN PUBLIC RECREATIONAL AREAS ARE CONSIDERED.
Abstract
ACTS OF VANDALISM MAY BE CLASSIFIED AS FOLLOWS: (1) MANIFESTATIONS OF THE TERRITORIAL IMPERATIVE (DELIMITING ONE'S TURF IN A STRANGE PLACE BY WRITING ON WALLS OR CARVING INITIALS IN TREES); (2) FRUSTRATION-AGGRESSION MOTIVATION (LETTING OFF STEAM BY SMASHING A WINDOW); (3) PURPOSEFUL, POLITICAL ACTS; AND (4) PSYCHOTIC VANDALISM (E.G., ARSON COMMITTED SOLELY FOR THE PLEASURE OF THE ACT). PARK OFFICIALS GENERALLY CONCERN THEMSELVES WITH THE FIRST TWO CATEGORIES, LEAVING THE OTHERS TO POLICE AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. IN DEALING WITH VANDALISM, IT IS IMPORTANT TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE PROBLEM IS ACUTE OR CHRONIC. A SUDDEN OUTBREAK OF DESTRUCTION ALMOST ALWAYS SIGNALS SOME MAJOR DISSATISFACTION ON THE PART OF THE PERPETRATORS. VANDALISM OFTEN INVOLVES THE PSYCHOANALYTICAL PHENOMENA OF OBJECT DISTORTION AND TRANFERENCE. FOR INSTANCE, IF A PARK SYMBOLIZES FAMILY, AND IF THE SYMBOL IS BEAUTIFUL WHERE THE REAL FAMILY IS NOT, THEN THE PARK BECOMES THE OBJECT OF DISTORTION AND ENVY--SOMETHING TO BE CUT DOWN TO SIZE. PARADOXICALLY, IF THE PARK CAN BE LINKED TO THE REAL FAMILY, THEN THE CONTROLS OF THE FAMILY SETTING MAY BE EXTENDED TO THE PARK TO PROTECT IT FROM DISTORTION AND DESTRUCTION. ALTHOUGH VANDALISM IS A PROBLEM OF AND FOR SOCIETY, ACTS OF VANDALISM ARE COMMITTED BY INDIVIDUALS OR SMALL GROUPS. TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM, IT IS NECESSARY TO UNDERSTAND AND ADDRESS THE FORCES BEHIND INDIVIDUAL AND SMALL-GROUP BEHAVIOR. (LKM)

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