Highly publicized novel crimes trigger a wave of copycat events before fading

Evidence

These unintended powerful natural experiments, with fictional dramas and authentic newscasts as the vehicle, provide insights into the role of the media in the social transmission of forms of aggression that cannot be studied by other means. The causal relations revealed in the modeling of novel styles of aggression under naturally occurring conditions complement those verified in laboratory experiments. Once a novel idea is planted, some time must pass before it fades from public consciousness. Highly publicized novel modes of aggression typically trigger copycat events. — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 760 (#expands, via linked claim)

Cooper devised a clever extortion technique. He hijacked a Boeing 727 and exchanged the passengers on the flight for four parachutes and $200,000 when the plane landed in Seattle. He then ordered the flight crew to fly the plane to Mexico City. As the plane flew into the night, he parachuted from the tail exit to avoid entangling the parachute lines on the tail or the stabilizers. Although massive searches were conducted, no trace of Cooper has ever been found, except for some money whose serial numbers matched those on the bills given to Cooper (Gray, 2007). Within a few months there were 18 hijackings on Boeing 727s modeled on the parachute-extortion technique. They continued until a mechanical door lock was installed on 727s so that the rear exit could be opened only from the outside. Cooper became a folk hero for eluding the FBI, celebrated in songs, on T-shirts, and in fan clubs. — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 746 (#exemplifies, via linked claim)

These and similar tales would be cause for little more than amusement were it not for individuals like McCaslin, who take them seriously enough to risk killing and being killed. — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy, 62 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Copying authorities breeds inconsistent beliefs because convictions go unchecked — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology: Key Readings, 999; Melodramatic excess in fiction can presage real corruption scandals — Mark Fisher, Ghosts of My Life: Writings on…, 197; Broadcast crime modeling triggered an eightfold surge in copycat extortions. (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• Highly publicized novel aggressive acts trigger copycat imitations #expands (0.97) — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 760
• A single publicized novel crime technique triggered eighteen copycat hijackings within months #exemplifies (0.95) — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 746
• Fringe conspiracy tales turn dangerous when individuals act violently on them #complicates (0.72) — Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy, 62