Question

(17.1) The psychology of terrorism According to the Global Terrorism Index, terror-related death have increased nearly 10 times since 2000. http://www.economicsandpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2015-Global-Terrorism-Index-Report.pdf While there was 3.329 recorded acts of terror in 2000 we have seen 32,685 in 2014. It makes you stop and ask questions - like: 1. How can extremist groups treat fellow human beings with such cruelty? 2. Why do their barbaric brands of violence appeal to young people around the globe? 3. Who are their recruits, and what are they thinking when they target innocent lives (sub question is are those recruits mentally ill)?

Answer 1

Terrorism is not a mental illness nor is it a personality type. There is no terrorist personality, nor a terrorist disorder, nor are the terrorists’ psychopaths. Most of the terrorists do not even have any mental illness. The psychology of terrorism can be attributed to factors leading to abuse, injustice, poverty, illiteracy, etc. These are just some facets of terrorism, these do not fully explain terrorism. Most of the terrorist acts are pointed out by terrorists as being against injustice, or as solidification and reaffirming of their beliefs.

1. Extremist groups are brainwashed to believe that what they are doing is right and it is being done in the name of religion, country or for their cause. They do not find it wrong to take law into their hands and killing some people for it (they consider it as sacrifice for their cause). Their ideologies justify as well as mandate extreme violent behaviors and they believe it to be just for their cause. These causes or ideologies are thought to be as absolute, unquestionable and their actions serve as a meaning for the cause or belief.

2. No one in this world is crazy enough to go die or kill someone without a reason. The motivation behind terrorism is one of the increasingly interesting topic for research for scholars. Most of the terrorist groups are seen recruiting young people. This is because they are easy to target and brainwash. Young people are mostly in an impressionable age and they are at a confusing age where their insight for judgement can be turned 180 degrees easily. Without someone to lead them and watch over them properly, they can get influenced in doing wrong. They think it as cool or manly.

This topic has been in debate as different theorists argue differently. Social Cognitive scientists believe that young people get influenced by observing and learning. They feel that fighting for a cause or justice is right. We always teach children that and show them action hero movies and series. So, when terrorists call them out saying that they are fighting for justice or a good cause, young people feel that this may be the moment they had been waiting for. They will be fighting for justice like their favorite superheroes. Some researchers say that this might be related to certain psychological factors like a or identity crisis, desire to exact revenge, thrill-seeking behavior, or to play a role in radicalization process. Most of the cause for joining such radical movements are also attributed to anger and humiliation that is faced due to discrimination, non-acceptance, alienation, and for always being seen as wrong (wrongly scapegoated). Poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, as well as frustration of reality and expectations play a big role in this.

3. Recruits range from young to adults. Most of the recruits range from the age of 13-35 years. The recruits are not mentally ill. They have just been brainwashed, radicalized, blinded and led astray. Their weaknesses have been taken advantage of to gain access to their minds. The recruits are brain washed to such an extent that they are unable to differentiate between right and wrong. The recruits are desensitized to feeling guilty for killing innocents and they are even hardwired to take their own life. Sometimes out of sheer anger, frustration, or hatred, crimes can be committed (for example, you hear of news where a person in full anger or hatred kills another). Do you think they feel guilty after that? No, when you are out to get justice, right the wrong done, you see the person against whom you are going out as an enemy. This is the same view these terrorists employ. They see a state, country and the people in it as their enemy. Someone who does not support their cause, is against them, they are considered as an enemy.