KRM 310 Chapter 6
Erin Polyblank
CHAPTER 6: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF
TERRORISM
The nature of terrorism is basically psychological.
o Its aim is to create crippling fears and psychological debilitation in a civilian
population.
It is clear that psychology has an important role to play in understanding
terrorism, counteracting it, and treating its traumatizing effects.
The slaughter of innocent civilian populations and the destruction of their
homes and businesses for some political, religious, or social purpose is
considered, by most societies, serious criminal behavior.
Terrorists are often described as abnormal individuals, sometimes by using
terms like evil, psychologically insane, immoral, seriously mentally
disordered, or psychopathic killers.
There is very little evidence that members of terrorist organizations are
mentally unstable, irrational, or psychopathic.
Their outrageous, inhumane attacks on innocent persons challenge the view
that terrorists are rational, emotionally stable individuals.
o However, there is very little evidence that members of terrorist
organizations are mentally unstable, irrational, or psychopathy.
DEFINITIONS AND EXAMPLES
Terrorism: The unlawful use of force or violence against per-sons or property
to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment
thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.
Terrorism may be domestic or international depending on their origin, base,
and objectives of the terrorist organisation or individual.
DOMESTIC TERRORISM
Domestic Terrorism is perpetrated by individuals and/or groups inspired by or
associated with primarily South African based movements that espouse
extremist ideologies of a political, religious, social, or environmental nature.
o They do not simply operate in the homeland, but they also lack foreign
direction.
1
, KRM 310 Chapter 6
Erin Polyblank
Domestic terrorists target innocent civilians, carry out their at-tacks
surreptitiously while aiming for maximum publicity, and—unless they are
suicide bombers—try to get away safely.
They are usually not affiliated with terrorist organizations but are often
described as lone wolves or lone offenders or are connected to small cells.
o They often have no record of arrests and leave no record of their planned
attacks.
INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
International terrorism refers to violent acts or acts dangerous to human life
that are a violation of criminal laws and are under the direction of a foreign
government, group, organization, or person.
o These acts effects individuals throughout the world.
Americans living or visiting abroad are no more likely to be victimized by
terrorist activities than are citizens of other nations.
Terrorism is broadly viewed as
a. The use of force or violence.
b. By individuals or groups.
c. That is directed toward civilian populations.
d. Intended to instill fear.
e. As a means of coercing individuals or groups to change their political and
social positions.
CLASSIFICATION OF TERRORIST GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS
The FBI classifies terrorists according to political leanings.
Right-wing terrorists: Extremist groups that adhere to an antigovernment
or racist ideology and often engage in a variety of hate crimes and violence.
o It is composed of individuals or groups that are fiercely nationalistic,
antiglobal, suspicious of centralized federal authority, and reverent of
individual liberty, such as the right to own guns or be free from taxes.
o Believe in conspiracy theories, believe attacks to national sovereignty
and/or personal liberty are imminent, and consequently participate in
paramilitary training in survival skills.
o These people also exhibit hate.
2
Erin Polyblank
CHAPTER 6: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF
TERRORISM
The nature of terrorism is basically psychological.
o Its aim is to create crippling fears and psychological debilitation in a civilian
population.
It is clear that psychology has an important role to play in understanding
terrorism, counteracting it, and treating its traumatizing effects.
The slaughter of innocent civilian populations and the destruction of their
homes and businesses for some political, religious, or social purpose is
considered, by most societies, serious criminal behavior.
Terrorists are often described as abnormal individuals, sometimes by using
terms like evil, psychologically insane, immoral, seriously mentally
disordered, or psychopathic killers.
There is very little evidence that members of terrorist organizations are
mentally unstable, irrational, or psychopathic.
Their outrageous, inhumane attacks on innocent persons challenge the view
that terrorists are rational, emotionally stable individuals.
o However, there is very little evidence that members of terrorist
organizations are mentally unstable, irrational, or psychopathy.
DEFINITIONS AND EXAMPLES
Terrorism: The unlawful use of force or violence against per-sons or property
to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment
thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.
Terrorism may be domestic or international depending on their origin, base,
and objectives of the terrorist organisation or individual.
DOMESTIC TERRORISM
Domestic Terrorism is perpetrated by individuals and/or groups inspired by or
associated with primarily South African based movements that espouse
extremist ideologies of a political, religious, social, or environmental nature.
o They do not simply operate in the homeland, but they also lack foreign
direction.
1
, KRM 310 Chapter 6
Erin Polyblank
Domestic terrorists target innocent civilians, carry out their at-tacks
surreptitiously while aiming for maximum publicity, and—unless they are
suicide bombers—try to get away safely.
They are usually not affiliated with terrorist organizations but are often
described as lone wolves or lone offenders or are connected to small cells.
o They often have no record of arrests and leave no record of their planned
attacks.
INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
International terrorism refers to violent acts or acts dangerous to human life
that are a violation of criminal laws and are under the direction of a foreign
government, group, organization, or person.
o These acts effects individuals throughout the world.
Americans living or visiting abroad are no more likely to be victimized by
terrorist activities than are citizens of other nations.
Terrorism is broadly viewed as
a. The use of force or violence.
b. By individuals or groups.
c. That is directed toward civilian populations.
d. Intended to instill fear.
e. As a means of coercing individuals or groups to change their political and
social positions.
CLASSIFICATION OF TERRORIST GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS
The FBI classifies terrorists according to political leanings.
Right-wing terrorists: Extremist groups that adhere to an antigovernment
or racist ideology and often engage in a variety of hate crimes and violence.
o It is composed of individuals or groups that are fiercely nationalistic,
antiglobal, suspicious of centralized federal authority, and reverent of
individual liberty, such as the right to own guns or be free from taxes.
o Believe in conspiracy theories, believe attacks to national sovereignty
and/or personal liberty are imminent, and consequently participate in
paramilitary training in survival skills.
o These people also exhibit hate.
2
