The Pathway to Violence

Now that you understand what you should not do, let’s review specific behaviors you should pay attention to when interacting with others.   

Research specific to targeted violence suggests that individuals often follow a “pathway to violence” in which individuals move from thinking about using violence to planning and executing those intentions. According to Calhoun and Weston (2003), the “pathway to violence” includes the following stages.  

Stage 1: Grievance 

In this stage, someone might feel wronged due to an imagined or real experience. This feeling may stem from a sense of injustice, victimization, or outsider status. Behaviors may include speech, sketches, or writings that are characterized as hostile, sarcastic, or bitter.

Stage 2: Violent Ideation 

This stage includes thinking about or considering violence related to a grievance. Behaviors may include thoughts or fantasies of murder and violence.

Stage 3: Research and Planning 

This stage includes thinking about who, when, and how to commit a violent act in response to a grievance.  Specific targets and tactics are researched and the attack is more concretely planned at this stage.

Stage 4: Preparation  

Preparing for a violent attack may include identifying and acquiring the means, weapons, and tools to carry out the plan.  Friends may also be forewarned at this stage.

Stage 5: Probing and Breaching 

This stage includes looking for vulnerabilities that will help the individual carry out the attack.  This might include where to commit the act, how to gain entry to commit the attack, or how to escape once the attack has been completed.  Final surveillance may be conducted and the attacker(s) may also test plans at this stage.

Final Stage: Attack  

This is the final stage in the pathway to violence. At this point, an individual is implementing the plan and committing the attack. Certain stressors or risk factors may amplify grievances or increase one’s willingness to use violence in response to those grievances. 

It is important to note that some individuals may only move through the first few stages and may move up and down stages over time without ever implementing an attack. We are sharing information about the “pathway to violence” because you may see, hear, or learn about behaviors consistent with some of the stages.