Discussion—Terrorism Given The Nature Of Terrorism, Psycholo

Discussion—Terrorism Given the nature of terrorism, psychology has a significant role in understanding it and treating its devastating effects

Given the nature of terrorism, psychology has a significant role in understanding it and treating its devastating effects. Terrorists are deemed fanatics that are both willing to kill and die for their causes. Understanding terrorism is, therefore, necessary and of paramount importance, including understanding which psychological factors render terrorists to be so susceptible to extremist ideology. Using the readings for this module, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet, respond to the following: Explain how and why individuals become involved in extremist groups. Describe the function they perform within the group. Identify the motivational factors that drive terrorism. Write your initial response in approximately 300 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. By Saturday, September 10, 2016, post your response to the appropriate Discussion Area. Through Wednesday, September 14, 2016, review and comment on at least two peers’ responses. Do you agree or disagree with their positions regarding the causes of joining terrorist groups? Give reasons for your responses.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding the psychological underpinnings of terrorism is crucial for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies. The involvement of individuals in extremist groups is often driven by a complex interplay of social, political, economic, and psychological factors. From a psychological perspective, certain personality traits and cognitive processes can predispose individuals to adopt extremist ideologies. For instance, feelings of social alienation, identity crises, and perceived injustices can lead individuals toward extremist groups as a means of finding purpose, belonging, and empowerment (McCauley & Moskalenko, 2017). Social identity theory posits that individuals seek to enhance their self-esteem through group membership, which can be manipulated by extremist organizations to foster radicalization (Tajfel & Turner, 1979).

Within extremist groups, individuals typically assume roles that serve both functional and ideological purposes. These roles may include recruitment, propaganda dissemination, logistical support, or even operational tasks such as planning attacks. The psychological motivation for performing these roles is often rooted in a desire for perceived justice, revenge, or support for a cause they believe to be morally justified (Silke, 2015). Moreover, group dynamics can reinforce extremist beliefs through ideological framing, peer reinforcement, and deindividuation, which diminish personal accountability and heighten commitment to the cause (Sageman, 2004).

The motivational factors driving terrorism are multifaceted. Ideologically driven motivations include religious beliefs or political objectives that justify violence against perceived enemies. Psychological drivers include desperation, trauma, or a quest for identity and significance, which some individuals seek through involvement in terrorist acts. Economic marginalization and social exclusion can also contribute, as such conditions foster resentment and vulnerability to radicalization (Kruglanski et al., 2014). Understanding these psychological and social motivators helps explain why some individuals are more susceptible to extremist influence than others.

In conclusion, psychological factors significantly contribute to the pathway toward terrorism, highlighting the importance of psychological interventions and community engagement in counter-radicalization efforts. Recognizing the diverse motivations behind terrorist involvement can help develop tailored approaches to counter-terrorism that address underlying mental and social vulnerabilities (Borum, 2017).

References

• Borum, R. (2017). Radicalization and de-radicalization among terrorists. In M. J. Gibbons & J. M. Ward (Eds.), Countering Violent Extremism: Scientific Methods & Operational Strategies (pp. 23-50). Routledge.
• Kruglanski, A. W., Gelfand, M. J., Webber, D., Fishman, S., Hettiarachchi, K., & Sperber, A. (2014). The psychology of radicalization and deradicalization: Is it possible to change extremist beliefs?. Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 32(3), 341-354.
• McCauley, C., & Moskalenko, S. (2017). Friction: How radicalization happens to them and us. Oxford University Press.
• Sageman, M. (2004). Understanding terror networks. University of Pennsylvania Press.
• Silke, A. (2015). The psychology of terrorist behavior. In M. B. Williams (Ed.), Handbook of terrorism and insurgency (pp. 243-262). Routledge.
• Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In W. G. Austin & S. Worchel (Eds.), The social psychology of intergroup relations (pp. 33-47). Brooks/Cole.