The Psychology of Violence

After watching "Invisible Children," what have you learned about the "psychology of violence"? What are the root causes of the abductions and youth violence in Uganda and the surrounding region? How has this affected the mental health of these children?

Since the inauguration of gun powder, modern warfare has since evolved in ways that have awed and shocked humanity. From medieval organized warfare, to all out warfare such as seen on the grounds of WWI humanity has been able to relentlessly kill each other with the use of weapons and arms. It wasn’t until WWII where the use of physiological warfare came into play. Increasing the violent noise of fighter jets, toxic gas and the size of bombs have all had their effects on the men fighting; but what really started to antagonize the people was the first deliberate attacks on the civilians. This is why Kpny's attacks on children and different groups in Uganda have left such deep trauma on the citizens. He goes into these villages with the objective targets of the weak and frail, the children. The reason I call children weak and frail is not completely due to their size, strength and agility but more so to their psychological standpoint. The mind of a young child is equivalent to a sponge in the way it absorbs information. At the same time children are also very impressionable and with the use of abuse and bribery can be made into what ever the informer may wish. This is why Kony has targeted this demographic of civilians. These children are being raised thinking that violence and warfare is normal and are exposed to events that no matter what age you are, no one should have to see.