On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society

Dave Grossman

Apr 2014 · Open Road Media

About this ebook

A controversial psychological examination of how soldiers’ willingness to kill has been encouraged and exploited to the detriment of contemporary civilian society.
 
Psychologist and US Army Ranger Dave Grossman writes that the vast majority of soldiers are loath to pull the trigger in battle. Unfortunately, modern armies, using Pavlovian and operant conditioning, have developed sophisticated ways of overcoming this instinctive aversion.
 
The mental cost for members of the military, as witnessed by the increase in post-traumatic stress, is devastating. The sociological cost for the rest of us is even worse: Contemporary civilian society, particularly the media, replicates the army’s conditioning techniques and, Grossman argues, is responsible for the rising rate of murder and violence, especially among the young.
 
Drawing from interviews, personal accounts, and academic studies, On Killing is an important look at the techniques the military uses to overcome the powerful reluctance to kill, of how killing affects the soldier, and of the societal implications of escalating violence.
 

Ratings and reviews

As a reservist we never get to be fully immersed in "the game", but we do get to see its effects slightly. Now having a better understanding of how our training is used to help us fight and how it is used to help protect us mentally has intrigued me. I think I will try and read more of his books and follow up on his bibliography as the author suggested for a better understanding.

Many insights into a topic which few have previously studied. Yes, the author has preconceptions particularly computer games/films increasing violence in society but overall it will fascinate the reader with first hand accounts of the act of killing and the price a soldier pays for this.

A pivotal work that is academic while also a fascinating read. Highly recommend as one of those books that challenges your understanding of your own personality and behavior starting from the nervous system on up to your personal beliefs.

About the author

A former army Ranger and paratrooper, Lt. Col. Dave Grossman taught psychology at West Point and was a Professor of Military Science at Arkansas State University.

The author's website, Grossman On Truth, amplifies and extends the material covered in his books and is regularly updated with new, topical information on the subject.