Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 1, No. 2, 2002, Page 102
Imagery Scripts
To elicit Matthew‘s reactions to the homicide, we used a personalized, staged, imagery
script. In addition, we used two personalized imagery scripts for comparison purposes an
aggressive interpersonal interaction script that did not result in violence, and an emotionally
neutral script.
We used personalized imagery scripts to guide the perpetrator (Matthew) through the
images and scenes and to assist him in re-experiencing the psychological and
psychophysiological reactions that he had at the time of an act, be it neutral or violent. We
drafted scripts using information Matthew had detailed. The script interviews consisted of in-
depth descriptions of the three scenes in terms of environment, cognitions, behaviors,
emotions, and psychophysiology. Personal reactions were included in the scripts to help
trigger personal images. The emphasis was placed on using Matthew‘s own view of what
happened. We audio-taped the interviews to aid us in preparation of the scripts. In
developing the scripts, we used only information that Matthew provided.
We divided each script into five stages (setting the scene, approach, incident, consequence,
and resolution), which represented a sequence of moments from immediately before the
event of interest to the time immediately after the event of interest. Each stage took
approximately 60 seconds to verbally administer. The content of each script is outlined in
Table 1.
Table 1
The Content of Each Stage of Each Script
Script Stage Content
Homicide Scene Matthew climbed a hill to meet with Kane in the
early hours of the morning.
Approach Kane was erratic and threatening. A discussion
took place.
Incident Matthew repeatedly shot, and killed the victim.
Consequence Matthew stood over the victim to ensure that he
was dead.
Resolution Matthew fled the scene.
Aggression Scene Matthew at work. Problem worker late back from
lunch.
Approach Matthew talked to customer about problem
worker as truck was being loaded.
Incident Matthew went into office, threw keys on bench,
and said he was going to quit job.
Consequence Matthew picked up gear from behind the bench
with intention of leaving the workplace.
Resolution Matthew walked across car park toward
motorbike and away from workplace.
Neutral Scene Matthew stood in prison yard waiting for lunch.
Approach Custodial officers prepared to call prisoners to
parade.
Incident Signal given and men lined up for parade.
Consequence Names called, then people file off to go to lunch.
Resolution Matthew walked past custodial officer and out of
yard toward lunch room.
Imagery Scripts
To elicit Matthew‘s reactions to the homicide, we used a personalized, staged, imagery
script. In addition, we used two personalized imagery scripts for comparison purposes an
aggressive interpersonal interaction script that did not result in violence, and an emotionally
neutral script.
We used personalized imagery scripts to guide the perpetrator (Matthew) through the
images and scenes and to assist him in re-experiencing the psychological and
psychophysiological reactions that he had at the time of an act, be it neutral or violent. We
drafted scripts using information Matthew had detailed. The script interviews consisted of in-
depth descriptions of the three scenes in terms of environment, cognitions, behaviors,
emotions, and psychophysiology. Personal reactions were included in the scripts to help
trigger personal images. The emphasis was placed on using Matthew‘s own view of what
happened. We audio-taped the interviews to aid us in preparation of the scripts. In
developing the scripts, we used only information that Matthew provided.
We divided each script into five stages (setting the scene, approach, incident, consequence,
and resolution), which represented a sequence of moments from immediately before the
event of interest to the time immediately after the event of interest. Each stage took
approximately 60 seconds to verbally administer. The content of each script is outlined in
Table 1.
Table 1
The Content of Each Stage of Each Script
Script Stage Content
Homicide Scene Matthew climbed a hill to meet with Kane in the
early hours of the morning.
Approach Kane was erratic and threatening. A discussion
took place.
Incident Matthew repeatedly shot, and killed the victim.
Consequence Matthew stood over the victim to ensure that he
was dead.
Resolution Matthew fled the scene.
Aggression Scene Matthew at work. Problem worker late back from
lunch.
Approach Matthew talked to customer about problem
worker as truck was being loaded.
Incident Matthew went into office, threw keys on bench,
and said he was going to quit job.
Consequence Matthew picked up gear from behind the bench
with intention of leaving the workplace.
Resolution Matthew walked across car park toward
motorbike and away from workplace.
Neutral Scene Matthew stood in prison yard waiting for lunch.
Approach Custodial officers prepared to call prisoners to
parade.
Incident Signal given and men lined up for parade.
Consequence Names called, then people file off to go to lunch.
Resolution Matthew walked past custodial officer and out of
yard toward lunch room.
