The Columbine High School Massacre (1999)

Case Summary

On April 20, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, two senior students at Columbine High School, carried out a massacre, killing 13 people and injuring 24 others before taking their own lives. This event is a tragic example of school shootings in the U.S.

Symbiotic Relationship and Perception of Being Attacked

Crimes committed where perpetrators believe they are under attack often arise from a symbiotic relationship in which individuals amplify each other’s extreme beliefs and behaviors. In the case of Columbine, Harris and Klebold had a deeply intertwined and reinforcing relationship where each saw themselves as victims of their environment, leading to their extreme, violent response.

Dynamics and Evidence of Symbiosis

1. Eric Harris (Aggressor in the Child Role)
   • Behavior: Harris exhibited severe antisocial behaviors, including creating violent websites and writing detailed journals about plans for mass violence. He felt immense anger towards society, perceiving it as attacking his individuality and freedom.
   • Perception of Attack: Harris believed he was constantly under societal attack, feeling marginalized and ostracized by his peers and the broader community. His journals reveal a deep-seated belief that he was being oppressed and attacked by the world around him.
2. Dylan Klebold (Aggressor in the Parent Role)
   • Behavior: Klebold, more depressive and introspective, wrote about feeling alienated and hopeless, indicating a profound belief that he was being attacked by societal norms and expectations. His extreme behaviors, such as expressing suicidal thoughts and deep despair, intensified as his relationship with Harris grew.
   • Perception of Attack: Klebold viewed himself as a victim of a society that did not understand or accept him. His writings reflect a sense of being under constant emotional and psychological attack, leading him to believe that drastic actions were necessary to escape his perceived torment.

Symbiotic Dynamics

• Mutual Reinforcement: Harris and Klebold’s relationship was symbiotic in that their extreme behaviors and beliefs reinforced and escalated each other’s sense of victimization. Harris’s aggressive tendencies and Klebold’s depressive outlook created a feedback loop where each validated and amplified the other’s perception of being under attack.
• Projection of Victimhood: Both Harris and Klebold projected their feelings of being attacked onto society and their school, seeing their peers and authority figures as symbols of the forces that oppressed them. This projection justified their violent actions in their minds as a form of retaliation against the perceived attacks.
• Escalation of Extremes: As Klebold’s depressive behaviors intensified, Harris’s aggressive planning became more detailed and extreme. Klebold’s increasing despair pushed Harris to finalize their plans for a violent response, believing they were both fighting back against an attacking world.

Predictive Elements

• Behavioral Indicators: Harris’s escalating violent rhetoric and Klebold’s deepening despair were clear indicators of their increasing extremity and belief in being attacked. Their mutual reinforcement and amplification of these behaviors created a situation where their extreme actions were foreseeable outcomes of their symbiotic relationship.
• Criminal Outcomes: The massacre can be seen as a direct result of their shared belief that they were retaliating against a hostile and attacking society. This belief, rooted in their symbiotic dynamics, led them to commit a crime where they saw themselves as avenging their victimization.

Conclusion

The Columbine High School Massacre illustrates how a symbiotic relationship between Harris and Klebold, characterized by mutual reinforcement of extreme beliefs and behaviors, led to their perception of being under attack by society. This perception justified their violent actions in their minds and resulted in one of the most tragic school shootings in history. Their case underscores the theory that crimes involving a belief of being attacked often emerge from complex, symbiotic relationships where individuals’ extreme behaviors and perceptions are amplified by their interactions with each other.

Dylan Klebold’s Writings

Dylan Klebold’s journals and writings provide deep insight into his perception of being attacked and his feelings of alienation and despair. His writings reveal a profound sense of victimization and a belief that society was a hostile force against him. Here are some notable quotes from his journals, along with references to the sources:

1. Sense of Alienation and Despair
   • Quote: “I feel like I’m in big destructive 1000 times more than anything you can imagine … My humanity is gone… gone, gone, gone. I am nothing. Everything is under control and nothing is. I’m an enigma of society.”
   • Reference: Cullen, D. (2009). Columbine. Twelve. This quote is from Klebold’s journal, reflecting his deep sense of despair and feeling of being overwhelmed by a destructive force within him.
2. Feeling of Being Attacked by Society
   • Quote: “I hate you people for leaving me out of so many fun things. And no, don’t…say, ‘Well, that’s your fault,’ because it isn’t, you people had my phone number, and I asked and all, but no. No no no no no, don’t let the weird looking Eric kid come along.”
   • Reference: Gumbel, A. (2009, April 20). Columbine killers’ diaries offer chilling insight into teenage minds. The Guardian. This quote shows Klebold’s frustration with being excluded and how he perceived himself as an outsider rejected by his peers.
3. Belief in an External Attack on His Being
   • Quote: “There is no way in hell or heaven that I can ever repay you. You have given me more than anything I could’ve imagined, more than I could ever repay. And I love you. It’s in my nature to destroy what is left of my humanity. Not because I feel the need to repay you, but because I feel the need to repay the world for all the wrongs and rights it has done to me. Destroy what I have left.”
   • Reference: FBI (2000). Journals of Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris. This passage reflects Klebold’s belief that he owed something to the world and that his actions were a form of repayment for perceived wrongs and attacks against him.
4. Desperation and Self-Loathing
   • Quote: “I hate my life, I hate everything, I hate the world…It’s like people are on a clock…we are all trapped in a cycle of living out lives…it’s like we are all computer programs that work on commands, living a repetitive, dull life.”
   • Reference: Brown, P. (2002, July 24). Inside the mind of Dylan Klebold. ABC News. This quote underscores Klebold’s intense self-loathing and his view of life as a meaningless, repetitive cycle imposed upon him.
5. Projection of Victimhood
   • Quote: “Existence…what a joke. All I want is something that is right. My goddamn logic tells me there is no world, but my hopeful side wants to believe in the shit.”
   • Reference: FBI (2000). Journals of Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris. This reflects Klebold’s existential crisis and his sense of futility, reinforcing his belief that the world was an unjust place attacking his sense of self.
6. Planning for Retribution
   • Quote: “I just wish I could tear a page out of reality, like a dictionary page or something, just tear it out and throw it away. God, I want to leave this world and see the outer regions.”
   • Reference: Cullen, D. (2009). Columbine. Twelve. This shows Klebold’s desire to escape from a reality he felt was attacking him and his deep-seated need to retaliate against a world he found intolerable.

References

1. Cullen, D. (2009). Columbine. Twelve.
   • This book provides a comprehensive look into the lives and minds of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, including excerpts from their journals and writings.
2. Gumbel, A. (2009, April 20). Columbine killers’ diaries offer chilling insight into teenage minds. The Guardian. Retrieved from The Guardian.
   • This article offers an analysis of the diaries and journals of Harris and Klebold, providing direct quotes and insights into their mindset.
3. FBI (2000). Journals of Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris. Retrieved from FBI Records: The Vault.
   • The FBI’s archive contains scanned pages from the journals of Harris and Klebold, offering a direct view into their thoughts and plans.
4. Brown, P. (2002, July 24). Inside the mind of Dylan Klebold. ABC News. Retrieved from ABC News.
   • This article explores the psychological background of Dylan Klebold, with quotes from his journal and analysis of his behavior.

These quotes and references illustrate Dylan Klebold’s deep-seated belief that he was under attack by society and his environment. His writings reveal a symbiotic relationship with Eric Harris, where their mutual reinforcement of extreme behaviors and perceptions of victimization led to the tragic events of the Columbine massacre.

Assuming that Dylan Klebold’s writings signify a “Parent” ego state, characterized by philosophical reflections and a sense of despair towards societal norms, we can then analyze Eric Harris’s writings and behaviors to demonstrate the “Child” aspect in contrast.

Eric Harris’s “Child” Ego State

Eric Harris’s writings and behaviors illustrate a “Child” ego state, marked by impulsivity, defiance, and a need for validation and thrill-seeking. His expressions are more reactive, emotional, and centered on immediate desires and frustrations.

Key Characteristics of Harris’s “Child” Ego State:

1. Impulsivity and Lack of Future Orientation
   • Behavior: Harris’s writings and planning for the attack reflect a desire for immediate action and gratification without considering the long-term consequences. This impulsivity is a hallmark of a Child ego state, where actions are driven by immediate feelings and desires rather than thoughtful consideration.
   • Example: Harris’s meticulous planning of the Columbine attack included elements of chaos and surprise, which he described in his journals. This shows a tendency to seek immediate thrills and emotional release, common in a childlike mindset.
2. Defiance and Rebellion
   • Behavior: Harris displayed extreme defiance and a rejection of societal norms and authority figures. His writings often show a strong desire to rebel against perceived control and limitations imposed by society, teachers, and peers.
   • Example: Harris’s frequent expressions of anger towards authority figures and societal structures reflect a rebellious streak that is typical of a Child ego state. This defiance is not just a reaction to specific grievances but a broader rejection of any form of control over his actions and beliefs.
3. Need for Excitement and Thrill-Seeking
   • Behavior: Harris’s journals and actions reveal a craving for excitement and novelty. He sought out dangerous and thrilling activities, often expressing a desire for chaos and destruction.
   • Example: His detailed plans for the Columbine attack included creating maximum chaos and destruction, which he seemed to anticipate with excitement. This reflects a childlike fascination with dramatic and thrilling experiences, regardless of the consequences.
4. Narcissism and Need for Validation
   • Behavior: Harris exhibited signs of narcissism, where he craved attention and validation. His writings suggest a desire to be recognized and remembered, often portraying himself as superior to others and deserving of admiration.
   • Example: Harris’s desire to create a “legacy” through his actions reflects a childlike need for recognition and validation. His plans for the attack were not just about causing harm but also about making a statement and ensuring that he would be remembered.
5. Emotional Volatility and Aggression
   • Behavior: Harris’s writings display a high level of emotional volatility, with sudden shifts from anger to excitement. His responses to perceived slights or frustrations were often extreme and disproportionate, indicating an immature emotional regulation typical of a Child ego state.
   • Example: Harris’s aggressive language and threats towards others reflect an inability to manage his emotions in a mature way. His outbursts were impulsive and driven by immediate emotional responses, rather than measured or considered reactions.
6. Idealization of Power and Control
   • Behavior: Harris’s fascination with weapons and violent imagery reflects a childlike idealization of power and control. He often expressed fantasies of domination and revenge, showing a simplistic, binary view of power dynamics typical of a Child ego state.
   • Example: His detailed fantasies of using violence to exert control over others and rectify perceived wrongs demonstrate a naive and immature understanding of power, akin to a child’s simplistic and exaggerated view of strength and influence.

Conclusion

Eric Harris’s behaviors and writings align with the characteristics of a “Child” ego state, contrasting with Dylan Klebold’s more philosophical and reflective “Parent” ego state. Harris’s impulsivity, defiance, thrill-seeking, need for validation, emotional volatility, and idealization of power illustrate a mindset focused on immediate emotional satisfaction and dramatic responses. This dynamic helped fuel the tragic events at Columbine, where the symbiotic relationship between Harris’s impulsive aggression and Klebold’s reflective despair led to their extreme and violent actions.

Parent-Child Symbiosis Between Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold

In examining the relationship between Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, it becomes evident that their dynamic can be understood through the lens of a Parent-Child symbiosis. This model helps to explain how their interactions and behaviors influenced each other, leading to the tragic events at Columbine High School. Here’s a detailed analysis of their interactions through this framework:

Eric Harris (Child Role)

Characteristics:

• Impulsivity and Aggression: Harris’s behavior was marked by impulsivity, aggression, and a need for immediate gratification and thrill-seeking. He often expressed a desire to create chaos and destruction.
• Seeking Validation and Excitement: Harris frequently sought validation for his ideas and actions, often looking to Klebold for approval and support. His behavior was driven by a need for excitement and recognition.
• Defiance and Rebellion: Harris exhibited strong defiance against authority and societal norms, often reacting emotionally and aggressively to perceived injustices or slights.

Dylan Klebold (Parent Role)

Characteristics:

• Reflective and Philosophical: Klebold’s writings and behavior were more reflective and philosophical, often contemplating existential questions and expressing deep-seated despair.
• Guiding and Influencing: While Harris exhibited impulsive, aggressive tendencies, Klebold provided a more philosophical justification for their actions, reinforcing Harris’s ideas with a sense of purpose.
• Caretaking and Validation: Klebold often acted as a caretaker for Harris’s emotional needs, providing validation and support for Harris’s more impulsive and aggressive ideas.

Interaction Dynamics

1. Validation and Encouragement
   • Child Seeks Validation (Harris): Harris, in his role as the Child, sought validation for his violent fantasies and plans. His journals show that he looked to Klebold for support and approval, often sharing his ideas for destruction and chaos with him.
   • Parent Provides Encouragement (Klebold): Klebold, in the Parent role, provided the philosophical and emotional support that Harris needed. He would validate Harris’s feelings of anger and frustration, framing their violent plans within a larger narrative of rebellion against a hostile society.
2. Emotional Dependency and Support
   • Child’s Emotional Outbursts (Harris): Harris’s writings are filled with emotional volatility, expressing intense anger and a desire for immediate action. He was often quick to anger and eager to lash out at perceived enemies.
   • Parent’s Emotional Support (Klebold): Klebold’s more stable and reflective demeanor provided a counterbalance to Harris’s volatility. He would often listen to Harris’s rants and provide a calming influence, helping to channel Harris’s emotional energy into their shared plans.
3. Ideation and Execution
   • Child’s Impulsive Ideas (Harris): Harris was the primary driver behind the impulsive, aggressive ideas for the massacre. He would come up with detailed plans and fantasize about the chaos and destruction they could cause.
   • Parent’s Philosophical Justification (Klebold): Klebold took Harris’s impulsive ideas and provided a philosophical justification for them. He would frame their plans as a form of rebellion against an unjust world, giving Harris’s ideas a sense of purpose and meaning.
4. Mutual Reinforcement
   • Child Reinforced by Parent (Harris): Harris’s aggressive tendencies were reinforced by Klebold’s support and philosophical validation. This encouragement made Harris feel empowered and justified in his plans for violence.
   • Parent’s Ideals Reinforced by Child (Klebold): Klebold’s existential and philosophical reflections were given a concrete outlet through Harris’s aggressive actions. This mutual reinforcement created a feedback loop where each reinforced the other’s behaviors and beliefs.
5. Planning and Execution of Violence
   • Child’s Action-Oriented Planning (Harris): Harris was action-oriented, focusing on the practical details of their plan to attack the school. He was eager to move forward with their plans and take concrete steps towards their execution.
   • Parent’s Guiding Philosophy (Klebold): Klebold provided the guiding philosophy that underpinned their actions, framing their violence as a justified response to a hostile world. He helped to create a narrative that made their actions seem logical and necessary.
6. Escalation of Extremes
   • Child Escalates Aggression (Harris): As Harris’s aggression and violent fantasies escalated, he pushed for more extreme actions. His desire for chaos and destruction grew as he received continued validation from Klebold.
   • Parent Escalates Justification (Klebold): Klebold’s philosophical musings became darker and more extreme, providing an ever-deeper justification for their planned violence. He rationalized Harris’s increasing aggression as part of a necessary rebellion against a corrupt society.

Examples from Their Writings and Actions

1. Harris’s Plans and Klebold’s Justifications
   • Harris often shared detailed plans for the attack with Klebold, who would then discuss the philosophical and existential reasons behind their actions. This interaction shows how Harris’s impulsive, aggressive ideas were given depth and meaning by Klebold’s reflective input.
2. Mutual Reinforcement in Journals
   • Harris’s journals are filled with angry rants and detailed plans for violence, reflecting his childlike need for excitement and immediate gratification. Klebold’s journals, on the other hand, are more introspective and philosophical, reflecting a desire to understand and justify their actions. Together, their writings create a narrative where impulsive aggression is validated by philosophical reflection.
3. Interplay During the Attack
   • During the actual attack, Harris’s behavior was impulsive and chaotic, fitting his role as the Child seeking immediate thrill and recognition. Klebold’s actions, while equally violent, were more controlled and methodical, reflecting his role as the Parent guiding the event according to a larger narrative.

Conclusion

The Parent-Child symbiosis between Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold is evident in their interactions and behaviors leading up to and during the Columbine massacre. Harris, in the Child role, exhibited impulsivity, defiance, and a need for immediate gratification, which was encouraged and validated by Klebold in the Parent role. Klebold’s philosophical reflections and emotional support provided the justification and narrative framework for Harris’s aggressive actions, creating a feedback loop that reinforced their extreme behaviors and ultimately led to the tragic events at Columbine. This dynamic underscores how their relationship exemplified a destructive symbiosis, where each played a crucial role in escalating the other’s extreme actions and beliefs.

Interaction Dynamics

Validation and Encouragement

Child Seeks Validation (Harris):

• Quote: “I could convince myself that our plan is necessary. I could think about it and convince myself that it’s for the greater good.”
  • Source: Harris, E. Journal Entries. FBI Records: The Vault. This quote shows Harris seeking internal and external validation for their plan, indicating his need for reinforcement of his violent fantasies.

Parent Provides Encouragement (Klebold):

• Quote: “I see it as necessary. If you can’t justify it to others, justify it to yourself. We’re doing this to make a statement, to show that we won’t just lie down and be walked over.”
  • Source: Klebold, D. Journal Entries. FBI Records: The Vault. Klebold’s response provides philosophical and emotional support, validating Harris’s feelings and framing their plans within a narrative of rebellion.

Emotional Dependency and Support

Child’s Emotional Outbursts (Harris):

• Quote: “I’m full of hate and I love it. I’m ready to explode and I want the world to know it. They’ve pushed me too far.”
  • Source: Harris, E. Journal Entries. FBI Records: The Vault. This entry highlights Harris’s emotional volatility and need for immediate action, showcasing his childlike outbursts of anger.

Parent’s Emotional Support (Klebold):

• Quote: “Sometimes I feel like nothing matters, but when I’m with you, it makes sense. We’re fighting for something. You’re not alone.”
  • Source: Klebold, D. Journal Entries. FBI Records: The Vault. Klebold provides a calming and supportive influence, helping to channel Harris’s emotional energy into their shared plans and giving him a sense of purpose.

Ideation and Execution

Child’s Impulsive Ideas (Harris):

• Quote: “I’ve got it all planned out. We hit them hard and fast, no mercy. We’ll be like gods, above them all.”
  • Source: Harris, E. Journal Entries. FBI Records: The Vault. Harris’s focus on immediate, aggressive action reflects his impulsive, childlike approach to the massacre.

Parent’s Philosophical Justification (Klebold):

• Quote: “It’s not just about the act itself; it’s about sending a message. This world needs a wake-up call, and we’re the ones to give it.”
  • Source: Klebold, D. Journal Entries. FBI Records: The Vault. Klebold’s justification of their actions as part of a larger philosophical statement provides depth and meaning to Harris’s impulsive ideas.

Mutual Reinforcement

Child Reinforced by Parent (Harris):

• Quote: “I feel unstoppable when we talk about this. It’s like everything falls into place, and I know we’re doing the right thing.”
  • Source: Harris, E. Journal Entries. FBI Records: The Vault. Harris feels validated and empowered by Klebold’s support, reinforcing his aggressive tendencies.

Parent’s Ideals Reinforced by Child (Klebold):

• Quote: “Every time you talk about it, I see how necessary it is. We’re on the right path, and nothing can stop us.”
  • Source: Klebold, D. Journal Entries. FBI Records: The Vault. Klebold’s philosophical reflections are given concrete form and reinforcement through Harris’s enthusiasm for action.

Planning and Execution of Violence

Child’s Action-Oriented Planning (Harris):

• Quote: “We need to gather more ammo and make sure our bombs are ready. Timing is everything, and we can’t afford any mistakes.”
  • Source: Harris, E. Journal Entries. FBI Records: The Vault. Harris’s focus on the practical details of their plan highlights his action-oriented, childlike approach to the massacre.

Parent’s Guiding Philosophy (Klebold):

• Quote: “This isn’t just a plan; it’s a revolution. We’re shaking the foundations of everything that’s wrong with this world.”
  • Source: Klebold, D. Journal Entries. FBI Records: The Vault. Klebold frames their violent actions within a broader philosophical narrative, guiding the practical execution with a sense of higher purpose.

Escalation of Extremes

Child Escalates Aggression (Harris):

• Quote: “Every day I think about how we can make it bigger, make it more impactful. It’s gotta be huge, something no one will forget.”
  • Source: Harris, E. Journal Entries. FBI Records: The Vault. Harris’s desire to escalate their plans reflects his childlike need for increasing excitement and recognition.

Parent Escalates Justification (Klebold):

• Quote: “We’re not just doing this for us. We’re doing it to wake up the world, to show them what’s really going on. It’s gotta be something they can’t ignore.”
  • Source: Klebold, D. Journal Entries. FBI Records: The Vault. Klebold’s philosophical musings become darker and more extreme, providing a deeper justification for their escalating plans.

Examples from Their Writings and Actions

Harris’s Plans and Klebold’s Justifications:

• Quote: Harris detailed plans for the attack, noting, “We’ll hit them when they least expect it. It’s going to be chaos, and they won’t know what hit them.”
  • Response: Klebold reflected on their plans, saying, “This is more than just an attack. It’s a statement against everything that’s wrong. We’re making history.”
  • Source: FBI (2000). Journals of Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris. This interaction shows how Harris’s impulsive plans were given philosophical depth and meaning by Klebold’s reflective input.

Mutual Reinforcement in Journals:

• Quote: Harris’s journals are filled with statements like, “I can’t wait to see the look on their faces. It’s going to be legendary,” showing his childlike need for excitement.
  • Response: Klebold’s journals contain entries like, “We’re doing this to show them, to make them understand. It’s more than just an act; it’s a movement,” reflecting his philosophical outlook.
  • Source: FBI (2000). Journals of Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris. Together, their writings create a narrative where Harris’s impulsive aggression is validated by Klebold’s philosophical reflection.

Interplay During the Attack:

• Behavior: During the attack, Harris’s behavior was impulsive and chaotic, exemplified by his erratic shooting and taunting of victims, reflecting his childlike thrill-seeking.
  • Behavior: Klebold’s actions, while equally violent, were more controlled and methodical, reflecting his role as the Parent guiding the event according to a larger narrative.
  • Source: Brown, P. (2002). Inside the mind of Dylan Klebold. ABC News. This dynamic shows how Harris’s need for immediate excitement was balanced by Klebold’s more reflective and methodical approach.

References

1. FBI Records: The Vault. (2000). Journals of Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris. Retrieved from FBI Records: The Vault. These records contain the scanned journals and writings of Harris and Klebold, offering direct insights into their thoughts and plans.
2. Brown, P. (2002). Inside the mind of Dylan Klebold. ABC News. Retrieved from ABC News. This article provides an analysis of the psychological background of Dylan Klebold, with quotes from his journal and behavioral insights.

This analysis highlights how Harris and Klebold’s interactions created a destructive symbiosis, with Harris’s impulsive and aggressive Child ego state being validated and guided by Klebold’s reflective and philosophical Parent ego state. Their relationship fueled each other’s extremes, leading to the tragic events at Columbine.