Approaching and attacking public figures: A contemporary analysis of communications and behavior.

Abstract

A review of the contemporary research on problematic communications, approaches, and attacks on public figures yields important findings. Analysis of both theory and empirical research is presented concerning the movement from communication to approach; the relationship among behavioral pathways, motivations, and psychiatric disorders; applied concepts such as fixation, grandiosity, and entitled reciprocity; a typology of superordinate and dynamic patterns of warning behaviors; the relevance of social media and the Internet; assassination and psychosis; the predatory and instrumental nature of public figure attacks; the politics of hatred and “lone terrorists;” leakage; new threat research; depression and suicidality; psychopathy; and threats to the children of public figures. Recommendations for threat assessment and future operational research are offered.