Werther effect

The investigation of journalists about bringing hundreds of children throughout the country cannot be indifferent, and therefore I write my next text for “freedom” not as a public figure, but as a psychologist. Under the blow were the weakest members of society. The reckoning of parents' inattention has now become not bad grades at school and the rudeness of the teenager, death can now be paid. On the VKontakte social network there are many communities that try to involve children in their game, and the results of this game are death and propaganda of new death. After analyzing the technology of the actions of attackers, let's talk about why hundreds of children are ready to voluntarily die.

The Werther phenomenon was identified by the American sociologist David Phillips in 1974-1975 and received this name from the novel by the German writer Goethe. This book about the dramatic experiences of the young hero, who led him to suicide, stirred Germany, hundreds of young people, imitating the character of the novel, killed themselves - empathizing and imitating. It is with this phenomenon on social networks that thousands of children throughout Russia are now facing. With only one difference: they are purposefully seduced by videos on suicide topics and turn into the heroes of those who, without hesitation, passed away. One of these role -playing models was Rina’s girl, who died under the wheels of the train, and the “cartoon” symbol of the whale, a marine animal, which is sometimes thrown out in search of death.

Why is it possible? What is pushing a person to make such a decision? Sigmund Freud gave characteristics to two main instincts, two drives: to life (libido) and to death (Tanatos). In adolescence, both drives are aggravated, so manipulation based on these instincts, especially at the beginning of puberty, is most effective.

Many dead young girls had a story of unsuccessful love some time before his death. Why is it so difficult to survive it? The love of another is needed in order to nourish yourself. Everyone wants to be loved, and the feeling that nobody needs you, undermines the self -esteem of teenagers. Modern society is atomized, divided into small groups, in this society it is easy to feel lonely, even if you formally have friends. In this situation, the appearance of a cohesive community having signs of chosenness can have a beneficial effect on the experience of their own uselessness. Including, therefore, children, obeying a strict ban on disclosure, are not inclined to talk about adults in these communities. The same effect is used to actually bring the child to suicide. Those who refuse to follow the regulations established by the community, ask a lot of questions or not the questions, doubts formal leaders, and they are immediately excluded. For murderers, this is a measure to maintain communication according to their rules, which does not allow rebellion.

According to Freud, the instinct of death is an aggression aimed at itself. A person is originally arranged in such a way that he needs to either translate aggression into the outside world, or direct it inside himself. When and if you block the child’s aggression in relation to the outside world, it naturally goes to himself. The extreme expression of this type of aggression is severe depression - when a young man does not want to see anyone, all the time is immersed in himself and is engaged in self -eating. It is not surprising that the children, having received the task of cutting themselves with a knife, do this to stay in the reference group of suicide bombers. To resolve the issue of suicide, adolescents are invited to take 50 days for thought - and then either kill themselves or not. In fact, these 50 days are the so -called presupposition equal to the readiness to die.

The presupposition in linguistics is a proposal that is accepted at an unconscious level, at a time when consciousness is aimed at something else. For example, the question: when will you give the money? The situation is this: you must give them, you only have a choice of deadline for repaying the debt. 50 days for life or death is a more complex presumption that forms the recognition that the child is ready to kill himself. Either "yes" or "no", we are talking about binary dilemma, the chances of suicide are 50%.

This is the point with which the child starts. Fullly sprinkling, since the Internet seans take place at 4:20 in the morning-a child, psychologically exhausting himself more and more, performs the tasks of the community leader. This is designed for the so -called Concord effect, which has come to psychology from the economy: a person is not ready to write off the last years and invested money to change his future for the better. It is very difficult to refuse what you did, to admit your defeat. Thus, each completed task, each solid puzzle bring the child closer to death.

This does not mean "automatic" suicide - it is difficult for any person to solve this. Therefore, killers are appointed the date of death, and until the last moment the moment of death remains a secret for the child, otherwise understanding the prospects of his death will generate natural doubts. For children at an unconscious level, this is still a psychologically a little game, then there is no time for reflection, and as a result, the child goes to where he was longly pulled systematically. Until the very last moment, a teenager practically cannot believe that he will cease to exist-that is why rumors are purposefully launched that people-symbols or people-formal community leaders can die and wake up.

Is the instinct of death so strong? The dissatisfaction of the child with himself, the world around him-because of which he is ready to die, is the essence of an unrealized craving for life. Therefore, at some point, both instincts work for death. Frustration is so strong, disappointment and pain is so great that the child decides to "cut out" from the situation. Notice - this word means strong connections that need to be cut, cut to free themselves. If the child went along this path, it means that he no longer trusts parents, friends, family and, perhaps, will not demonstrate what is happening to him in the circle of his neighbors. Therefore, hope that the child will give you a chance, maintain confidential and mutual relations with him.

Anatoly Kanyukov is a psychologist with experience with drug addicts and children