Contact:

Aaron Hoskins
SDSU Marketing & Communications
T. 619-594-1119
E. ahoskins@mail.sdsu.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 5, 2002 Marks Anniversary of Santana Shooting
SDSU Offers Expert on Teen Violence
Researcher's Work Helps Explain Patterns in School Shootings

SAN DIEGO, Wednesday, February 27, 2002 – San Diego State University offers the following psychology expert to discuss why school shootings occur and the role social rejection plays in leading high school students to become aggressive or violent toward other people, even innocent bystanders.

Prof. Jean Twenge, Psychology - Twenge led the research project titled, "If You Can't Join Them, Beat Them: Effects of Social Exclusion on Aggressive Behavior," which was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. She noted that of 30 school shootings nationwide, including incidents last March at Santana and Granite Hills high schools, all but two were perpetrated by people who had been socially rejected. To schedule an interview, contact Prof. Twenge directly at (619) 466-4124 or by E-mail at jtwenge@mail.sdsu.edu, or contact SDSU Marketing & Communications at the above numbers.

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