KRM 310(B) - UNIT 6
UNIT 6: PSYCHOLOGY OF TERRORISM
1) DEFINITION
TERRORISM: systematic use of terror as means of coercion (get a psychological/symbolic satisfaction)
DOMESTIC TERRORISM : actions of groups/individual based & operating entirely within their home country
without a clear foreign direction (may have foreign influence ex. PAGAT)
INTERNAT IONAL TERRORISM : acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of criminal law of any foreign
government, group, organisation/person (ex. ISIS & 9/11 by Al-Qaeda)
2) CLASSIFICATION OF TERRORISM GROUPS
Engage in variety of hate crimes & adhere to anti-government/racist ideology
RIGHT WING FAR RI GHT OR GANISA TION : people that are nationalistic, anti-global, suspicious of authority
& reverent of individual liberty
Protest & politically agitate against government policies, discrimination &
LEFT WING TERRORISTS
environmental issues
SPECIAL INTEREST
Activities revolve around issue they are passionate about
EXTREMISTS
RADICAL
Passionate about the environment & protecting it
ENVIRONMENT AL GROUPS
NUCLE AR/BIOLOGICAL/ Invisible/undetectable weapons by use of nuclear bombs or plant dirty bombs (ex.
CHEMICAL ( NBC) sarin gas – deadly nerve agent)
BIOTERRORISM Use of biological agents such as bacteria, viruses, germs & anthrax (in letters)
3) TERRORIST TYPOLOGY
3 Motivational categories:
RATIONALLY MOTIVATED : consider goals & possible consequences
Try to avoid loss of life but destroy infrastructures to get message across
They believe they are rational & carry out well-planned activities
PSYCHOLOGICALLY MOTIVATED : they want to feel a part of something – group affiliation & collective identity
They feel inadequate/failure = draws them to a charismatic leader
Lone wolf operation: seeks power rather than group affiliation
CULTURALLY MOTIVATED : have a fear that their culture will be influence by Western culture
Say that other cultures are a threat to their culture (often religious influences)
4) FOLLOWERS & LEADERS
Lack skills to modify at least some social situations, feel helpless
REASONS FOR Withdrawal response is learned helplessness when they feel nothing can be done
JOINING Can also respond by attacking
Negative identity encourages them to turn to extremist organisations
QUEST FOR Motivation to engage in terrorism is search to be meaningful/recognised as significant
SIGNIFICANCE Can be activated by significant loss, threat of significant loss, opportunity for significant gain
TERROR People construct & maintain cultural worldviews as a way of avoiding anxiety/fear that comes
MANAGEME NT with the knowledge that death is inevitable
THEORY (TMT) They deal with inevitable death by striving for immortality & embracing their group’s culture
UNIT 6: PSYCHOLOGY OF TERRORISM
1) DEFINITION
TERRORISM: systematic use of terror as means of coercion (get a psychological/symbolic satisfaction)
DOMESTIC TERRORISM : actions of groups/individual based & operating entirely within their home country
without a clear foreign direction (may have foreign influence ex. PAGAT)
INTERNAT IONAL TERRORISM : acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of criminal law of any foreign
government, group, organisation/person (ex. ISIS & 9/11 by Al-Qaeda)
2) CLASSIFICATION OF TERRORISM GROUPS
Engage in variety of hate crimes & adhere to anti-government/racist ideology
RIGHT WING FAR RI GHT OR GANISA TION : people that are nationalistic, anti-global, suspicious of authority
& reverent of individual liberty
Protest & politically agitate against government policies, discrimination &
LEFT WING TERRORISTS
environmental issues
SPECIAL INTEREST
Activities revolve around issue they are passionate about
EXTREMISTS
RADICAL
Passionate about the environment & protecting it
ENVIRONMENT AL GROUPS
NUCLE AR/BIOLOGICAL/ Invisible/undetectable weapons by use of nuclear bombs or plant dirty bombs (ex.
CHEMICAL ( NBC) sarin gas – deadly nerve agent)
BIOTERRORISM Use of biological agents such as bacteria, viruses, germs & anthrax (in letters)
3) TERRORIST TYPOLOGY
3 Motivational categories:
RATIONALLY MOTIVATED : consider goals & possible consequences
Try to avoid loss of life but destroy infrastructures to get message across
They believe they are rational & carry out well-planned activities
PSYCHOLOGICALLY MOTIVATED : they want to feel a part of something – group affiliation & collective identity
They feel inadequate/failure = draws them to a charismatic leader
Lone wolf operation: seeks power rather than group affiliation
CULTURALLY MOTIVATED : have a fear that their culture will be influence by Western culture
Say that other cultures are a threat to their culture (often religious influences)
4) FOLLOWERS & LEADERS
Lack skills to modify at least some social situations, feel helpless
REASONS FOR Withdrawal response is learned helplessness when they feel nothing can be done
JOINING Can also respond by attacking
Negative identity encourages them to turn to extremist organisations
QUEST FOR Motivation to engage in terrorism is search to be meaningful/recognised as significant
SIGNIFICANCE Can be activated by significant loss, threat of significant loss, opportunity for significant gain
TERROR People construct & maintain cultural worldviews as a way of avoiding anxiety/fear that comes
MANAGEME NT with the knowledge that death is inevitable
THEORY (TMT) They deal with inevitable death by striving for immortality & embracing their group’s culture
