Pennsylvania School Shooting -- The Berserk Syndrome.

LOS ANGELES -- In a review of the research on mass murder, a profile emerges of a white male with various paranoid or depressive trends in their personalities, according to Los Angeles trauma psychologist Robert R. Butterworth, Ph.D. The mass murder event is usually precipitated by a major loss

related to relationships, employment or financial difficulties. A fascination with guns is also a variable. The killings are viewed as the outcome of deep frustration and perceived rejection in a highly narcissistic person, wounded in his ego, hostile towards society. A warrior mentality suffuses the planning and attack behavior, and greater deaths and higher casualty rates are more likely if the perpetrator is psychotic at the time of the offense, says Butterworth.

A large proportion of these deranged individuals will convey their central motivation in a phrase or sentence yelled with great emotion at the beginning of the mass murder. The pattern of the violence is consistent with a predatory mode of aggression-violence that is planned, purposeful, emotionless.

Death by suicide or at the hands of others is the usual outcome for the mass murderer.

This adult pattern of violence differs from the profile of children that kill: According to a review of psychological and criminal research, early delinquent and aggressive children have delayed emotional and intellectual functioning early on, paired with a reputation of being continually disruptive, ongoing difficulty getting along with other children, little fear of authority and raised in homes with disruptive parenting. These are the youngsters most prone to act out their rage through violent acts. But in most cases we do little to intervene until it's too late -- Eighty percent of children that commit violent and antisocial acts have an earlier history of disruptive behavior known to both parents and teachers way before a major occurrence erupts that creates headlines worldwide.

Psychologist and media commentator Robert R. Butterworth, Ph.D., has assisted radio, TV and print media since 1984 find answers and provide insight to enhance understanding of psychological issues on a variety of topics. His comments, observations and op-ed articles have appeared in most of the major newspapers in the United States and worldwide. He is seen quite often on NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX and CNN network news especially during monumental events such as violence, disasters and youth tragedies and psychological reactions to breaking news and human event stories.