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Combat and personality change

S L Bradshaw1, C D Ohlde, J B Horne

  • 1Colmery-O'Neil VA Medical Center in Topeka, Kansas.

Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic
|January 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary
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Some soldiers experience satisfaction in killing during combat, termed the "heart of darkness experience." This reaction exists on a spectrum of personality changes, prompting exploration of psychological factors and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Military Mental Health
  • Trauma Studies

Background:

  • Combat exposure can elicit profound psychological responses in soldiers.
  • A subset of soldiers report a sense of satisfaction derived from killing during conflict.
  • This phenomenon is conceptualized as the "heart of darkness experience."

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the clinical observations of the "heart of darkness experience" in soldiers.
  • To explore the spectrum of personality changes associated with this combat reaction.
  • To investigate underlying psychological factors contributing to this response.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical case study approach.
  • Qualitative analysis of soldiers' experiences.
  • Exploration of psychological dynamics and personality alterations.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • The "heart of darkness experience" is observed within a range of personality changes, from minimal to severe.
  • Identified psychological factors influence the manifestation and severity of this reaction.
  • The experience is linked to Conrad's literary exploration of the human psyche under extreme duress.

Conclusions:

  • The "heart of darkness experience" represents a significant, albeit not universal, psychological response to combat.
  • Understanding the spectrum of personality changes is crucial for accurate assessment.
  • Further research into psychological factors can inform targeted therapeutic interventions for affected soldiers.