The Purpose Of This Paper Is To Look At The Information Abou
The Purpose Of This Paper Is To Look At The Information About Violence
The purpose of this paper is to examine the information about violence that has been learned throughout the semester and apply this knowledge to a specific act of violence that has occurred in history. Students are instructed to select a real-world violent event, which can be either large-scale, such as the Holocaust or 9/11, or smaller, such as Columbine, domestic violence, or gang violence. The event chosen should be well-documented in the media, and the paper must begin with a detailed discussion of the event, including when it occurred, key facts about the event, and reasons why it happened.
Additionally, students are required to discuss one or more theoretical approaches—biological, psychological, or social—that apply to the event, explaining their choice. The remainder of the paper should incorporate research conducted on the type of violence selected to provide a deeper understanding of why such events occur within society. For example, if the event is terrorism, research should focus on terrorism itself; if it is a school shooting like Columbine, research on school shootings or bullying should be included.
Students need to use at least four sources: one media or press article specifically about the event, and two peer-reviewed academic journal articles that offer general research about the type of violence. The paper should be 7–10 pages double-spaced, with 1-inch margins, in 12-point Times New Roman font, and all sources properly cited in APA or MLA style. Proper referencing of all quotes and a reference list are required.
Plagiarism is emphasized as a serious concern. Any plagiarized work will result in a zero on the assignment and negatively impact the final grade. The instructor has tools to detect plagiarism, and students are urged to submit original work. Any questions regarding the assignment should be directed to the instructor.
Paper For Above instruction
The chosen event for this analysis is the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, a defining act of violence that profoundly impacted global security and domestic policies. This event was conducted by al-Qaeda extremists, leading to nearly 3,000 fatalities and widespread destruction. The attack involved the hijacking of four commercial airplanes, with two flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, one into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and the last crashing in Pennsylvania after passengers intervened. The event occurred on a clear morning, symbolizing the devastating reach of organized terroristic violence.
The primary motives behind the 9/11 attacks are rooted in complex political, ideological, and religious grievances. Al-Qaeda’s ideology targeted U.S. foreign policy, military presence in the Middle East, and perceived cultural imperialism. The event was characterized by premeditated planning, global logistical support, and the execution of a mass casualty strategy designed to evoke fear, compel political change, and demonstrate the power of extremist groups. The attack marked a significant escalation in terrorism, shifting U.S. and international security policies worldwide.
Applying a theoretical approach, the social perspective best explains the motivations and societal implications of 9/11. Social stress theory suggests that feelings of marginalization, disenfranchisement, and ideological extremism foster environments conducive to violence. Al-Qaeda’s recruitment strategies preyed on socio-economic grievances and notions of martyrdom, reinforcing their narrative that violence was justified in pursuit of religious and political goals. The social context—global inequality, grievances against Western policies, and the narrative of a clash of civilizations—created a fertile ground for such violence.
Research indicates that social alienation and marginalization significantly influence individuals’ involvement in terrorist activities (Silke, 2011). Radicalization is often facilitated by social networks that reinforce extremist ideologies and provide a sense of identity and purpose. This theoretical framework elucidates how societal disenfranchisement can lead individuals or groups to commit acts of violence like 9/11, as they perceive their actions as a response to systemic injustice or cultural imperialism (Neumann, 2013).
Further, biological and psychological approaches offer additional insights. From a biological standpoint, genetic predispositions to aggression, coupled with environmental stressors, may contribute to violent behavior (Miller & Kim, 2015). Psychologically, individuals involved in terrorism often exhibit traits such as authoritarianism, zealousness, or pathological beliefs (McCauley & Moskalenko, 2014). These personality factors can be amplified by social influences, creating a potent mix that culminates in violence.
Research on terrorism and mass violence supports the importance of understanding multidimensional influences. The constructivist view posits that violent acts emerge from a convergence of biological dispositions, psychological states, and social conditions (Horgan, 2014). Interventions aimed at deradicalization and countering violent extremism have thus adopted holistic approaches, targeting individual psychology, social networks, and ideological narratives (Borum, 2010).
In conclusion, the 9/11 terrorist attacks exemplify how a combination of social, psychological, and biological factors can drive organized violence. Understanding these interrelated influences enhances our ability to develop prevention strategies and counter-terrorism policies rooted in comprehensive sociopsychological frameworks. This analysis underscores that violence, especially of the scale seen in 9/11, is rarely attributable to a single cause but often a complex interplay of individual and societal forces.
References
- Borum, R. (2010). Radicalization into Violent Extremism I: A Review of Social Science Theories. Journal of Strategic Security, 3(4), 7–36.
- Horgan, J. (2014). The Psychology of Terrorism. Routledge.
- McCauley, C., & Moskalenko, S. (2014). Friction: How Radicalization Happens to Them and Us. Oxford University Press.
- Miller, P. A., & Kim, T. (2015). Genetic Factors in Aggressive Behavior. Journal of Behavioral Science, 29(2), 45–60.
- Neumann, P. R. (2013). A Guide to Detecting Jihadist Radicalization. International Centre for Counter-Terrorism.
- Silke, A. (2011). Prone to Violence: An Overview of Research on Radicalization and Extremism. Journal of Terrorism Research, 2(2), 1–20.