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| Adhyatman Prabowo, S.Psi., M.Psi. (Photo: Special). |
Through social media, there have been many cases of brutal murders where the perpetrators cruelly mutilated their victims. Most recently, the case of a husband murdering his wife in Malang has also deeply shocked the public. In the midst of instantaneous information flow, is there any influence from various online media reports that could inspire someone to commit a crime?
Addressing this issue, Adhyatman Prabowo, S.Psi., M.Psi., a psychologist and lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology, University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), stated that it is unlikely for media coverage to prompt someone to imitate the same criminal acts. "Mass media coverage has very little chance of making adults imitate or motivating them to engage in similar actions," he said.
He added that, according to Albert Bandura's social learning theory, humans absorb information and decide on behaviours to adopt based on their environment and the behaviours of those around them. However, this theory primarily applies to children who may not yet be capable of properly and wisely filtering all information obtained from social media or mass media.
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"It doesn't apply to adults equipped with knowledge, critical thinking skills, and social norms that automatically filter various information and can decide what is good and not for them to do," he added.
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He further explained that, in general, there are two motives or behaviours of individuals when faced with sudden events and reasons why someone might commit murder and mutilate their victim. Firstly, the perpetrator may want to eliminate evidence or avoid showing that they murdered by carrying out the dismemberment.
"It could be said that this is purely a defensive attitude because it's possible the perpetrator didn't initially intend to kill, but the victim had already lost their life. Secondly, psychological factors such as trauma, sexual issues, and unresolved problems," he added.
In the realm of psychology, especially within family matters, many factors could contribute. For instance, stress and life pressures are experienced. Therefore, communication plays a crucial role in maintaining relationships. If communication between partners is important when facing issues within the household, both parties can make rational decisions without emotional impulses.
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Adi stressed the importance of understanding the significance of mental health. Simply put, mental health begins with how one thinks, manages emotions, interacts socially, and behaves. If there are issues with a partner or family, it's best to resolve them promptly. Deferred problems without resolutions become complex and ultimately challenging to overcome.
"Engaging more with the surrounding environment, participating in positive activities, or sharing with trusted individuals nearby is better. The aim is to divert or reduce the burden one is experiencing slightly. This can distance oneself from negative triggers that incite crime," he concluded. (dit/wil/fajr)
