On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society

On Killing examines the psychological and physiological dynamics of lethal combat, focusing on how humans overcome their natural resistance to taking another human life. Lt. Col. Dave Grossman draws on military history, psychology research, and interviews with combat veterans to analyze the actual act of killing in warfare. The book explores military training methods that enable soldiers to overcome their inherent reluctance to kill, from classical conditioning techniques to modern combat simulation. Grossman investigates the immediate and long-term psychological impacts on those who kill in combat, including trauma responses and coping mechanisms. This study also considers the broader implications for society, examining how similar psychological principles apply to law enforcement, entertainment media, and civilian life. The findings raise questions about violence in popular culture and its effects on human psychology. The work stands as a landmark text in the field of killology, opening discussions about the intersection of military necessity, human nature, and moral injury. Its insights continue to influence military training, law enforcement practices, and debates about violence in modern society.

Readers value the book's analysis of military training methods and psychological barriers to killing. Many appreciate Grossman's first-hand military experience and interviews with combat veterans, finding the research on PTSD and combat stress informative. Positive reviews highlight: - Clear explanations of combat psychology - Historical examples and case studies - Insights into military conditioning techniques Common criticisms: - Questions about the accuracy of S.L.A. Marshall's WWII data - Some sections feel repetitive - Limited coverage of female soldiers' experiences - Writing style can be dry and academic Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (15,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (2,000+ ratings) Reader quote: "Changed how I view violence in media and society" - Goodreads reviewer Critical quote: "Important topic but relies too heavily on disputed WWII statistics" - Amazon reviewer The book receives stronger ratings from military/law enforcement readers than from general audiences.

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🔸 Author Dave Grossman coined the term "killology" - the study of the psychological and physiological effects of killing and combat on the human psyche. He founded the Killology Research Group and regularly trains military and law enforcement personnel. 🔸 The book reveals that during World War II, only 15-20% of combat infantry soldiers actually fired their weapons at the enemy, demonstrating a powerful psychological resistance to killing among humans. 🔸 Modern military training techniques developed after WWII, including the use of human-shaped targets and operant conditioning, increased firing rates to approximately 95% during the Vietnam War. 🔸 Grossman draws parallels between violent video games and military training methods, arguing that both use similar psychological conditioning techniques to overcome natural resistance to killing. 🔸 The research presented in "On Killing" has influenced military training programs worldwide and has been cited in discussions about violence in media, PTSD treatment, and law enforcement training protocols.