In this blog post, we will look at the causes of “random crimes” that have recently caused social unrest, and seek realistic solutions, including psychological management and institutional measures.
These days, crimes without motive are occurring frequently. Crimes without motive are crimes that harm others for no reason, and they are difficult to predict, causing great anxiety in society. There are various social causes behind the frequent occurrence of such crimes, and one of the main factors is that modern people are unable to properly relieve the stress and psychological pressure of their daily lives. This often stems from people’s inability to control their impulsive nature and expressing their anger impulsively. So why is this inappropriate expression of anger so frequent in modern society? The article points to the following three reasons for this problem.
First, the impulsive nature of individuals is being exacerbated by social problems. Today, many people tend to blame social structures or others for their emotional problems or failure to control their impulses rather than looking inward. When problems are attributed to social factors rather than personal responsibility, dissatisfaction and anger towards the outside world inevitably grow rather than an attitude of introspection and acknowledgement of internal conflicts. Second, online arguments and violent content are causing conflicts and clashes in the real world. Online, emotions can easily escalate and conflicts can arise, and the violent language and expressions used in the process can lead to problematic behavior in real life. Third, there is a growing tendency in society to value self-assertion over restraint. In the past, it was considered a virtue to suppress one’s emotions and to value social harmony, but today, individual expression and assertion are emphasized, and the value of restraint has declined. This trend may be a cause of people easily expressing their dissatisfaction in an individualistic society.
Now, let’s look at how to solve the root cause of “crime without a motive.” As mentioned in the first reason, the social climate tends to make people shift the responsibility to others instead of resolving their inner conflicts, which is one of the problems. To alleviate this problem, it is important to recognize one’s emotions and learn how to deal with them constructively. Before anxiety and anger in one’s mind are easily expressed externally, it is necessary to reflect on one’s state and, if necessary, seek the help of a counseling professional. Specialized organizations such as counseling centers operate various programs that can alleviate psychological pressure, and in the process, one can learn the skills to understand and deal with one’s emotions. In addition, society should raise awareness of these counseling services so that people take care of their emotions as a matter of course. If a culture is created in which individuals voluntarily seek counseling, it will be possible to prevent situations in which anger builds up and explodes impulsively.
Mass media also needs to be cautious when reporting incidents such as random crimes. Mass media has a powerful influence on people, and if crimes are frequently reported, people are more likely to perceive that their difficulties or anxiety are caused by the social structure. Therefore, the media should not simply report criminal cases, but also inform the public of the causes of crimes and the punishments for crimes to raise awareness of crime. In particular, in the case of crimes without a motive, specific examples of how severe the punishment is should be reported so that people can see the consequences of irrational behavior.
Second, we need to reduce the impact of the internet and media on individuals’ impulse control. Violent games and arguments are very common on the internet today, and these experiences can have a negative impact, especially on young people. Violent online games are becoming more realistic, and this can sometimes blur the line between reality and fantasy. This can be a more dangerous factor for children in their growing years as well as adults. To prevent this, institutional regulations such as strengthening the Internet rating system are needed, and additional safety measures are needed for violent games, such as frequently displaying warning messages or setting limits on play time. In addition, since expressing aggressive emotions towards others online can cause problems in real life, communities and post administrators should strictly crack down on violent remarks and expressions. Site operators have a responsibility to create a healthy online environment by further strengthening their violence censorship systems and to strictly manage posts that could cause major social problems.
Finally, there needs to be an improvement in the social atmosphere that considers it a virtue to unconditionally express one’s emotions without restraint. This can be seen as one of the side effects of the emphasis on competition and success in modern society. While it is important for individuals to pursue success and happiness, it is necessary to reflect on oneself so that these values are not premised on the misfortune of others. It is recommended that modern people often take time to manage stress through meditation or breathing exercises in their daily lives. In addition, organizations and schools can run programs that allow people to have a short period of psychological relaxation every morning. For example, it can be a good idea for a boss or teacher to deliver words of encouragement that emphasize patience and consideration instead of giving stressful admonitions during morning speeches.
Efforts to teach compromise and moderation are needed to prevent the trend in society that says it is right to express oneself unconditionally rather than to endure. Adults should teach children how to calmly assess situations and express themselves appropriately rather than immediately expressing their feelings. It is also important to consider whether the goals set are socially acceptable and to set goals that respect the happiness of others. When all members of society have an attitude of consideration and respect for each other’s happiness, we will be able to move toward a crime-free and safe society.
