Hero syndrome

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Hero syndrome (also often referred to as saviour complex or hero complex) is a psychological disorder that causes a person to seek recognition for heroism. Although hero syndrome is not recognised by the American Academy of Psychiatry due to its inconsistency with the definition of a syndrome, [1] its definition is encapsulated under the hero complex. Hero syndrome is, by definition, a complex as individuals who present this often exhibit impulses that have a "common emotional tone and exert a strong but usually unconscious influence on the individual’s attitudes and behavior". [2] However, in popular media and literature, it is referred to as the hero syndrome. The term is used to describe individuals who constantly seek appraisal for valiant or philanthropic acts, especially by creating a harmful situation which they then can resolve. [3] [4] This can include unlawful acts, such as arson. The term has been used to describe the behaviour of public servants, such as firefighters, nurses, police officers, security guards and politicians. [5] The behaviour of individuals with hero syndrome can be detrimental to the lives of those around them, putting innocent people at risk in the pursuit of creating a "victim". Reasons for this kind of behaviour often vary.

Contents

The term "hero syndrome" was first introduced following the discovery of a bomb on the 1984 Turkish Olympic team's bus by Los Angeles police officer Jimmy Wade Pearson. He presented as the only police officer available on the scene after he "discovered" it. Pearson ripped the device's wires out before running it out onto a runway. He was hailed a hero by the public until he was arrested the following day for planting the bomb himself. [6] This raised questions as to people's desire to commit crimes to create scenarios for themselves to be the heroes of.

Aetiologies and Contributing Factors

Narcissism

The causes of hero syndrome are predominantly rooted in narcissistic tendencies. Narcissism usually presents itself in one of two ways: vulnerability-sensitivity and grandiose-exhibitionism. The latter is what is most often found to coincide with hero syndrome. Individuals with this form are often described as egotistical and show-offs and are aligned with high levels of manipulativeness and self-dramatisation. There is a deep desire to exhibit attention-seeking behaviour and impress others. A similar relevant concept is also referred to as overt narcissism in which people are constantly obsessed with the perception of themselves by others. [7]

Due to high, fragile self-esteem and a failure to see fault in their own actions, narcissists are more susceptible to portraying others as the victims or villains in order to boost their image.

Cultural Differences

The categorisation and characterisation of heroes differ between cultures, and as a result, create disparities in how hero syndrome may present itself in different circumstances.

The classification of heroes in individualistic cultures revolves largely around the idea of "rescuing" someone from harm by putting themselves in physically dangerous situations. 'Heroes' in these cultures are considered brave, reliable, strong etc. Furthermore, features that were critical to defining someone as a hero included: self-sacrifice, altruism and selflessness. [8] In contrast, collectivistic cultures typically categorise heroes as those whose actions serve the collective goal. Heroes in collectivist cultures need to place the needs and interests of the group above their own. A sense of patriotism and nationalism in some cases may also be relevant in the construction of a 'hero' in collectivist cultures. [8]

These differences between cultural 'hero' stereotypes may also translate to how hero syndrome may be portrayed. Violent crimes and physically dangerous situations may be therefore more prevalent in individualist societies due to the element of bravery and sacrifice involved.

Examples and Case Studies

Firefighter Arson

Firefighter arsonists include the very small proportion of firefighters who are dispatched to put out fires of which they were the cause; that is, fires intentionally set by firefighters so they can also gain the satisfaction and accolades of being the heroes and saviours of the incidents. [9] In a federal study of more than 80 firefighter arsonists, the most common reason cited for starting the fire was simply the excitement of putting it out, not to cause harm or exact revenge. [10] Though not all, many recall their motives for committing arson as wishing to be perceived as heroes to other firefighters and their community, committing what may be referred to as vanity fire setting.

Arkansas: Perry County Deputy Sheriff

In 2004, an Arkansas police officer reported as being in foot pursuit of a man whom he had recently called in to be on the lookout for. Not long after, the police officer announced he had been shot in the abdomen and gave a very detailed and comprehensive recount of the events that had transpired. An extensive investigation and search were then carried out, collecting evidence and conducting interviews, resulting in the officer eventually pleading guilty to fabricating the entire story and shooting himself. This crime was also committed with the intention of being a victim, simultaneously portraying himself as a hero injured in battle. [4] Hero syndrome is often also found in conjunction with victim complex due to their similar ideals. [11]

Real-world Applications

There is already existing controversy about workplace and employment mental health screening due to the ethical concerns raised regarding biases, false negatives etc. However, in certain fields where people display harmful and risky behaviour in an attempt to be perceived as saviours, ethics are also very relevant regarding the safety and harm of others.

Emergency Services and Healthcare Workers

For first responders and those working in the medical field, hero syndrome is particularly relevant. These are careers often labelled as 'heroic' and have the potential to attract those with hero syndrome due to the constant ability to exhibit courageous and heroic acts. In such careers where agent-patient dynamics are prevalent, people assume the roles of saviour and victim, and heroes can emerge. [12] Having individuals who suffer from hero syndrome in this field would increase the prevalence of self-inflicted incidents, creating a drain on resources of both time and people. In some cases, however, these careers fuel the hero syndrome as individuals want to "show off" newly learnt skills, impressing those around them. [9] To combat this, many emergency services, such as fire departments, are incorporating the teaching of the severity of crimes into programmes. For example, the fire departments rolled out additional teaching on arson crimes to reinforce the firefighters' duty to support and serve their community and to not bring shame and stigma to the fire department. [9]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arson</span> Intentional burning of property as a crime

Arson is the act of willfully and deliberately setting fire to or charring property. Although the act of arson typically involves buildings, the term can also refer to the intentional burning of other things, such as motor vehicles, watercraft, or forests. The crime is typically classified as a felony, with instances involving a greater degree of risk to human life or property carrying a stricter penalty. Arson which results in death can be further prosecuted as manslaughter or murder. A common motive for arson is to commit insurance fraud. In such cases, a person destroys their own property by burning it and then lies about the cause in order to collect against their insurance policy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pyromania</span> Irresistance to starting fires

Pyromania is an impulse control disorder in which individuals repeatedly fail to resist impulses to deliberately start fires, to relieve some tension or for instant gratification. The term pyromania comes from the Greek word πῦρ. Pyromania is distinct from arson, the deliberate setting of fires for personal, monetary or political gain. Pyromaniacs start fires to release anxiety and tension, or for arousal. Other impulse disorders include kleptomania and intermittent explosive disorder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fire marshal</span> Person who inspects buildings for fire safety

A fire marshal, in the United States and Canada, is often a member of a state, provincial or territorial government, but may be part of a building department or a separate department altogether. Fire marshals' duties vary but usually include fire code enforcement or investigating fires for origin and cause. Fire marshals may be sworn law enforcement officers and are often experienced firefighters. In larger cities with substantially developed fire departments the local fire departments are sometimes delegated some of the duties of the fire marshal.

Articles related to criminology and law enforcement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public-order crime</span> Type of crime; running contrary to social order

In criminology, public-order crime is defined by Siegel (2004) as "crime which involves acts that interfere with the operations of society and the ability of people to function efficiently", i.e., it is behaviour that has been labelled criminal because it is contrary to shared norms, social values, and customs. Robertson (1989:123) maintains a crime is nothing more than "an act that contravenes a law". Generally speaking, deviancy is criminalized when it is too disruptive and has proved uncontrollable through informal sanctions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fire investigation</span> Analysis of fire-related incidents

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John Leonard Orr is an American convicted serial arsonist, mass murderer, and former firefighter. A fire captain and arson investigator in Glendale, California, Orr was convicted of serial arson and four counts of murder; he is believed to have set nearly 2,000 fires in a 30-year arson spree, most of them between 1984 and 1991, making him the most prolific serial arsonist in American history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Narcissism</span> Excessive preoccupation with oneself

Narcissism is a self–centered personality style characterized as having an excessive preoccupation with oneself and one's own needs, often at the expense of others.

According to some theories, emotions are universal phenomena, albeit affected by culture. Emotions are "internal phenomena that can, but do not always, make themselves observable through expression and behavior". While some emotions are universal and are experienced in similar ways as a reaction to similar events across all cultures, other emotions show considerable cultural differences in their antecedent events, the way they are experienced, the reactions they provoke and the way they are perceived by the surrounding society. According to other theories, termed social constructionist, emotions are more deeply culturally influenced. The components of emotions are universal, but the patterns are social constructions. Some also theorize that culture is affected by the emotions of the people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Face negotiation theory</span> Theory in social science

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Penhallow Hotel fire</span> 2007 fire in Cornwall, England

The Penhallow Hotel fire was a suspected arson attack that occurred in Newquay, Cornwall on 18 August 2007. Three people were killed and it was reported as the worst hotel fire in the United Kingdom in nearly 40 years. The hotel was a well-known hotel for holiday makers ranging from families to older residents. It had been built in Island Crescent between 1912 and 1917, and had been altered more than once. The building had a wooden fire escape at the rear, and a central light shaft running from the ground floor up to the roof in the centre of the hotel. Both of these aspects of the building played a dramatic role in the outcome of the fire. Many of those that escaped the fire were elderly holiday makers.

Peter Tredget, formerly Bruce George Peter Lee, is a British serial killer and arsonist. He confessed to a total of 11 acts of arson, pleading guilty to 26 counts of manslaughter. Fourteen of these were overturned in two separate appeals. Lee was sentenced to indefinite secure hospital detention in 1981, and remains detained as of February 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Mount Carmel forest fire</span> 2010 forest fire in northern Israel

The Mount Carmel Forest Fire was a deadly forest fire that started on Mount Carmel in northern Israel, just south of Haifa. The fire began at about 11:00 local time on 2 December 2010, and spread quickly, consuming much of the Mediterranean forest covering the region. With a death toll of 44, it was the deadliest civil disaster in Israeli history until the 2021 Meron stampede. Those killed included 36 Israel Prison Service members, most of them new recruits, as well as three senior police officers, among them the chief of Haifa's police, and three firefighters, among them a 16-year-old volunteer. More than 17,000 people were evacuated, including several villages in the vicinity of the fire, and there was considerable property and environmental damage.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denmark Place fire</span> Fatal fire in London in 1980

The Denmark Place fire occurred on 16 August 1980 at 18 Denmark Place in Central London. The fire, caused by arson, killed 37 people of eight nationalities. Most of the victims were Spanish or Latin American, and were patrons of two unlicensed bars in the building. At the time, The Sunday Times said the fire could be "the worst mass murder in British history".

Firefighter arson is a persistent phenomenon involving a very small minority of firefighters who are also active arsonists. Fire-fighting organizations are aware of this problem. Some of the offenders seem to be motivated by boredom, or by the prospect of receiving attention for responding to the fires they have set.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bohumín arson attack</span> Fire in Czech Republic

The Bohumín arson attack took place on 8 August 2020 at an apartment building on Nerudova Street in the town of Bohumín, roughly 300 km north-east of Prague, Czech Republic. Eleven people were killed and fifteen were injured. Police arrested 54-year-old arsonist Zdeněk Konopka in front of the building. The perpetrator, who had four prior criminal convictions, admitted to pouring 8 liters of gasoline into plastic bottles at a nearby petrol station and going to his son's flat. It was bustling with people who were celebrating a birthday party to which the perpetrator was not invited. He poured the gasoline in the hallway within the flat and then onto the entrance doors and set it ablaze. This led to the extremely fast spread of the fire throughout the flat with no escape route possible.

References

  1. ↑ Calvo, Franz; Karras, Bryant T; Phillips, Richard; Kimball, Ann Marie; Wolf, Fred (2003). "Diagnoses, Syndromes, and Diseases: A Knowledge Representation Problem". AMIA Annual Symposium Proceedings. 2003: 802. ISSN   1942-597X. PMC   1480257 . PMID   14728307.
  2. ↑ "APA Dictionary of Psychology". dictionary.apa.org. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  3. ↑ "Hero Syndrome in the Workplace | Expansive Coworking". Expansive. 1 April 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  4. 1 2 Ben D. Cross (1 November 2014). "The Hero Syndrome" (Conference paper). cji.edu. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  5. ↑ "When To Stop Being A Hero". HuffPost. 24 September 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  6. ↑ Feldman, Paul (16 July 1985). "Officer Pleads Guilty in Olympic Hoax : 'Discovery' of Bomb on Bus Carrying Athletes Was Fabricated". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  7. ↑ Wink, Paul (1991). "Two faces of narcissism". Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 61 (4): 590–597. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.61.4.590. ISSN   1939-1315. PMID   1960651.
  8. 1 2 Sun, Yuning; Kinsella, Elaine L.; Igou, Eric R. (2 February 2023). "On Cultural Differences of Heroes: Evidence From Individualistic and Collectivistic Cultures". Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin: 014616722211502. doi:10.1177/01461672221150238. ISSN   0146-1672. PMID   36727610.
  9. 1 2 3 Federal Emergency Management Agency (January 2003). "Firefighter Arson: Special Report (USFA-TR-141)". Technical Report Series.
  10. ↑ Cave, Damien (2 August 2004). "Experts Say 'Hero Syndrome' Not Common Among Police". The New York Times . Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  11. ↑ "The Hero and Victim Paradox: Be Wary of Those Who Seek Both Roles". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  12. ↑ Gray, Kurt; Wegner, Daniel M. (28 June 2011). "Dimensions of Moral Emotions". Emotion Review. 3 (3): 258–260. doi:10.1177/1754073911402388. ISSN   1754-0739.
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