He studies the target societies as well, unraveling the complicated social and psychological impacts of having to cope with the everpresent threat of a terrorist strikeand responding when one occurs. Andrews, and coeditor with horgan of the future of terrorism routledge, 2000. This approach alienates acts of terrorism from ideological, political, economic and social factors that may influence one to become a terrorist. Clark in press psychological issues in understanding terrorism and the response to terrorism. In my own studies of terrorism, i have attempted to address this and other socio psychological issues, including suicide terrorism, individual versus organizational aspects of terrorism, and terrorism as a tool of minority influence. A socialcognitive perspective of terrorism risk perception. While structural variables are most abundant, and much easier to operationalize and measure than psychological or rational choice factors. Four psychosocial theories and their application to patient education and clinical practice virginia m. Social psychological factors pertain to all aspects of terrorism, including how terrorist organizations operate, and the impact of terrorism on everyday people. Sep 16, 2014 psychological theories of terrorism terrorism has existed for long even before the advent of recorded history.
Descriptions of the gradual socialisation of individuals into violent extremist networks, combined with isolation, ritual and ideology. Taryn butler abstract identifying the causes of terrorism has been a goal of researchers for many years. Minimanual or handbook of urban guerilla warfare by brazilian terrorist. The definition of terrorism has been a difficult issue because of the heterogeneity of the behaviors. Analysis of factors related to hate crime and terrorism. A social psychological perspective daniel druckman national research council the purpose of this essay is to introduce the reader to a social psycho logical perspective on the roots of nationalism. However, efforts to develop a contextualized model incorporating cognitive, social. Psychological perspectives on terrorism, national security. The most prominent causes of oppositional political terrorism can be explained by three categories of theories. The terrorism literature shows three emerging trends. State sponsorship is not a root cause of terrorism.
This new textbook provides students with a multidisciplinary theoretical and methodological introduction to terrorism studies. One of the earliest examples of the former was feuers 196922 conflict of generations theory, which is based on a freudian interpretation of terrorism as a psychological reaction of sons against fathers, a generational phenomenon rooted in the oedipus complex and, thus, in maleness crenshaw, 1986, p. In contrast to interpersonal and individualistic explanations of terrorism, we also have social psychological research which turns its gaze in the surface and offers more promising explanations for terrorism and radicalization, while at the same time acknowledging the relevant political context. Comparing theories of radicalisation with countering. Some countries have proven to be particularly susceptible to terrorism at certain times, as italy and west germany were during the 1970s. Psychiatric associations diagnostic and statistical manual of mental. The field of terrorism has been explored widely across social science epidemiology, including political and psychological theory due to its varied nature, motivation and application coppock et al, 2014. Pdf an overview of the political theories of terrorism. Definition of terrorism social and political effects.
Psychological research is not only relevant but also essential to understanding this issue. Machiavelli, clausewitz and adam smith are important writers in western tradition of conflict analysis. As biosocial theorists do, psychologists focus on how individual characteristics may interact with the social environment to produce a violent event. The present analysis focuses on the aspect of terrorism where social psychologys voice is perhaps most critical. Even though the scholarly literature on this subject has been multiplied over the last decade, there is still little, if any consensus, on what psychological factors are necessary or sufficient to explain terrorism. In search of psychological explanations of terrorism. The contribution of social movement theory to understanding. Psychological theories of terrorism premium assignment help. Analysis of factors related to hate crime and terrorism 4. He explains what it means to live under constant threat of terrorism, and addresses the thorny domestic and foreign policy challenges this poses. Exploring how terrorist organizations exploit aspects of the internet, social media and how these same platforms could be used to counterviolent extremism.
Terrorism has occurred throughout history for a variety of reasons. Its explanation may be biased by political assumptions and social prejudices. The field of terrorism has been explored widely across social science epidemiology, including political and psychological theory due to its varied nature, motivation and application coppock et. Other theories focus on the social causes of terrorism. Members of the group that planned a suicide attack on holsworthy army barracks were prosecuted and convicted under antiterrorism. Psychological theories of prejudice and discrimination i prejudice and stereotypes social perception involves the development of an attitude towards another person or group of persons. The social psychology of terrorism crowds and identities. The reason to evaluate economics and psychology literature is simple. Psychological theories the issue of human violence is also a major topic within the academic discipline of psychology. At a minimum, there are three approaches to studying terrorism. The two sides of the coin are undoubtedly very much linked but we think that difference is relevant to better understand research on terrorism. From psychology of terrorists to psychology of terrorism. Furthermore, two prominent socialpsychological theories like the social identity theory e.
Federal research division the sociology and psychology of terrorism 2 essentially anyone who is not a. Social psychology, terrorism, and identity wiley online library. Indeed, the psychology of terrorism has become one of psychologys major growth markets. Psychological theories of terrorism terrorism has existed for long even before the advent of recorded history. Terrorism, the internet and the social media advantage. In addition to those, economic and psychological theories of terrorism are evaluated from the other disciplines.
Since the attacks of september 11th, the western world has labeled alqaeda and its leadership as suicidal and irrational terrorists hating the western way of life 2. Social psychological motivations of suicide terrorism. Their outlook is one that divides the world simplistically into them and us. Psychological theories of prejudice and discrimination. Psychology of terrorism social psychology iresearchnet. It uses intimidation and fear to achieve national, social or religious objectives and it rests on clearly articulated philosophies about. Although war and terrorism have been part of the human experience for thousands of years, their manifestation in the contemporary era is particularly frightening, thanks to evermore powerful weapons, including nuclear arms, that threaten human existence.
An overview of the political theories of terrorism. Understanding terrorism american psychological association. Modern sociological perspectives are primarily concerned with the social construction of fear or panic, and how institutions and processes, especially the media, primary and secondary groups, maintain that expression of fear. Its causes can be historical, cultural, political, social, psychological, economic, or religiousor any combination of these. Terrorism clearly indicates that the nature of man has not changed, but three significant issues including commerce globalization, transfer of information and travel. The sociology and psychology of terrorism library of congress. Developing a sociological theory for the empirical. Analysis of factors related to hate crime and terrorism 2 executive summary the objective of this project was to empirically assess the association between hate crime and terrorism in the united states and evaluate whether these behaviors share common determinants.
Given these complexities, the psychology of terrorism is marked more by theory and. For example, this approach also assumes that terrorists exhibit axis 1 disorders such as anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and major depression disorders. Psychologists are amassing more concrete data on the factors that lead some. In search of psychological explanations of terrorism oxford. The social psychological makings of a terrorist sciencedirect. War and terrorism are both forms of armed conflict that aim to defeat an opponent. This ideal also applies to the mental attributes of terrorists. In short, a social movement approach to terrorism would consider it as one form of contentious politics, analyzable within the existing framework of social movement theory. This entry focuses on the psychological dimensions of terrorist behavior, deemphasizes the analysis of sociologically based explanations sometimes referred to as root causes or macrolevel economic and political theories, and does not address the psychological effects of terrorism. Author links open overlay panel david webber 1 arie w kruglanski 2. Ariel merari and nehemia friedland, social psychological aspects of political terrorism, applied social psychology annual 6 1985, pp. A stereotype is an attitude towards a person or group on the basis of some physical characteristic or physical fact.
Department of homeland security through a center of excellence program based at the university of maryland. On account of shortage of theoretical approaches the knowledge and. After decades of social science research, no single theory of. It is primarily legalistic but does acknowledge the psychological, social and political aims of such groups. With its sarin attack on the tokyo subway system on march 20, 1995, the. Four psychosocial theories and their application to. Theories from different social science disciplines such as.
These four dimensions are seen as necessary for the rise of social movements and their turn to violence. Can rational choice, psychology, sociology, help us better understand second brs seemingly counterproductive action. Individual, group, and organizational levels of analysis arie w. Was the italian police forces use of incentives to defect an. This article represents an attempt to construct a sociological theory of terrorism by means of six theoretical propositions. Psychological perspectives on terrorism, national security, and human rights paul slovic decision research and university of oregon. Although not a root cause of terrorism, poverty is a social evil that should be fought for its own reasons. T he root of modern terrorism go back to late 19 th century, but at the threshold of the 21 st century this phenomenon has reached unprecedented proportions and has become a menace to civilized societies worldwide. Because of the wide variety of program types and the cultural and social conditions where they are taking place, it is imperative that successful efforts design each program on a casebycase basis, adds terrorism researcher max taylor, phd, of the university of st.
The research includes a broad spectrum of social sciences, physical sciences, and humanities topics using the collections of the library of. This justified the american war on terror and led margaret thatcher to declare islam the new communism. Individual responses to terrorism depend on a number of factors. Policy makers and experts disagree about their theoretical perspectives. A socialcognitive perspective of terrorism risk perception and individual response in canada jennifere. Considerable economic, military, political, and scientific resources are devoted these days to the war on terrorism. Recent research into the psychology of terrorism has increasingly identified it as a fundamentally social act. Psychological factors in terrorism and counterterrorism. Four psychosocial theories and their application to patient.
The book identifies the main theories proposed in the field of terrorism studies as they relate to several issues. Library of congress federal research division the sociology and psychology of terrorism 2 essentially anyone who is not a fundamentalist muslim or an aum shinrikyo member. The present article outlines the role of personal, social, and cultural identity in religiously and ethnically motivated terrorism. Those people who have a negative view of human nature, i. By synthesising relevant research and theory, critically contrast criminological and psychological theories of terrorism. The study of psychological factors contributing to terrorism has brought forward a wealth of models and theories on why people get involved in terrorism. Over 100 definitions of terrorism have been advanced. Politically motivated assassination, arson, kidnapping, and other forms of violence date back to the genesis of human society. What social theories could explain the red brigades revolt. Oberschall, social movements and the transition to democracy 2000, 28 and cf, oberschall, theories of social conflict 1978, 292. Genetic makeup, social contexts, past experiences, and future expectations may interact with the characteristics of the traumatic event to produce a psychological response. Furthermore, two prominent social psychological theories like the social identity theory e. Nonetheless, even at this early stage of terrorism studies, preliminary reports suggest that modifiable social and psychological factors contribute to the genesis of the terrorist mindset. Psychology of terrorism discusses the social psychological variables that underlie the terrorism phenomenon and the consequences of terrorist acts for people and political opinions.