The issue of gun violence in the US is a complicated one whose solution requires the input of various stakeholders. Therefore, a comparison on the merit of two articles, Youth Violence: What We Know and What We Need to Know (Bushman et al., 2016) and Anderson (2014), No Silver Bullet: Why We Need Research on Gun Violence Prevention can help highlight the underlying issues. Since gun violence is not an issue that can be solved using one rigid approach, understanding the underlying psychological problems of the perpetrators can go a long way into putting up measures to prevent the violence from happening. Similarly, prevention of gun violence laws and policies can borrow immensely from knowledge of psychological nature of gun violence.
Bushman et al. address the issue of gun violence among young adults as part of the more significant problem of youth violence, its course, and possible prevention measures. The article acknowledges the differences between street shootings and school shootings. Youth violence is caused by some complex influences as evidenced by the available theories (Bushman et al., 2016). The article focuses on the main risk factors and prevention measures. Development issues are cited as the primary influence of gun violence. Neurobiological factors like cognitive deficits significantly influence violence in youth (Bushman et al., 2016). Additionally, personality traits, media violence, social rejection and mental illness are the leading causes of gun violence. Knowledge of the origin of gun violence is crucial in coming up with protective measures. Such protective measures include teaching self-control skills and social competence skills, encouraging parental guidance, reducing exposure to violent media and substance abuse. The accuracy of gun violence prediction may also be increased with knowledge of the risk factors.This article is especially important for policymakers to come up with measures to prevent gun violence in schools and streets.
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Anderson article on gun violence states that there is no one way forward approach in dealing with the problem of gun violence in the US. Therefore, more research is needed to address the issue. According to him, a scientific approach to the question is crucial in identifying the causes and coming up with preventive measures. Such an approach requires study of behavior, psychological factors and social influences to gun violence (Anderson, 2014). According to Anderson, mental issues in people contribute only a small portion of gun violence witnessed in the US while most offenders are observed to be in deep emotional crisis. Thus, impulsive gun violence by people in emotional turmoil is preventable by addressing emotional problems. Scientifically grounded methods of gun violence prevention could be useful. Since access to guns by potential perpetrators is the first step before the person commits the crime, policies that do not allow such people to access guns are required. Additionally, a multifaceted approach to the issue may prove more useful (Anderson, 2014).
While Bushman cites development issues as the leading cause of gun violence in youth, Anderson asserts that emotional problems are the leading cause of gun violence in all age groups. Both articles provide provable evidence to support their claims. Thus, present crucial knowledge on the underlying causes of gun violence and prevention techniques. It's therefore right that psychological issues significantly influence perpetrators of gun violence.
References
Anderson, A. (2014, June 6). No silver bullet: Why we need research on gun violence prevention. Psychology Benefits Society . Retrieved on 23 January 2018, from https://psychologybenefits.org/2014/06/06/no-silver-bullet-why-we-need-research-on-gun-violence-prevention/.
Bushman, B., Newman, K., Calvert, S., Downey, G., Dredze, M., Gottfredson, M., . . . Romer, D. (2016). Youth violence: What we know and what we need to know. American Psychologist, 71(1) , 17-39.
