Chapter 11 - psychology of modern terrorism

Question 1

Terrorism as defined by federal law

Answer 1

The unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.

Question 2

Further definition of terrorism

Answer 2

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) and intended to instill fear (e) as a means of coercing individuals or groups to change their political and social positions.

Question 3

Right-wing terrorists

Answer 3

Extremist groups or individuals that generally adhere to an antigovernment or racist ideology and often engage in a variety of hate crimes and violence.

Question 4

Left-wing extremist groups

Answer 4

developed from working class movements seeking in theory to eliminate class distinctions.

Question 5

Special interest extremists

Answer 5

Groups who’s activities revolve around one issue about which they are passionate.

Question 6

Radical environmental groups

Answer 6

Included in special interest groups, the ELF (Earth Liberation Front) is an example

Question 7

Nuclear/biological/chemical terrorism (NBC)

Answer 7

Includes the use of nuclear bombs or dirty bombs that make use of radioactive material and thus has not been known to occur.

Question 8

Bioterrorism

Answer 8

The use of biological agents in this context, involves the use of bacteria, viruses, germs, and other agents such as anthrax, bubonic plague, and smallpox.

Question 9

Rationally motivated terrorists

Answer 9

Those who consider the goals of the organization and the possible consequences of their actions. They develop well-defined and theoretically achievable goals that often involve specific objectives. Many times, these terrorists try to avoid loss of life but focus on destroying infrastructures, buildings, and other symbolic structures to get their message across.

Question 10

Psychologically motivated terrorists

Answer 10

Driven by a profound sense of failure or inadequacy for which the perpetrator may seek redress through revenge.. Lone wolf terrorists are the exception to the psychologically motivated terrorist, as most of them are drawn to large groups with a charismatic leader.

Question 11

Culturally motivated terrorists

Answer 11

Driven by fear of irreparable damage to their way of living, national heritage, or culture done by an organization, foreign country, or powerful factions.

Question 12

Learned helplessness (reactive depression)

Answer 12

The withdrawal response to feeling helpless to change situations due to lack of skills and strategies.

Question 13

Quest for significance theory

Answer 13

Model that suggests that the motivation to engage in terrorism is the search to be meaningful and recognized as someone significant. This quest is usually activated by one or all three significant events; 1. Significant loss, 2. the threat of significant loss, or 3. the opportunity for significant gain. Contends that people are driven to become significant within a given society or group.

Question 14

Terror management theory (TMT)

Answer 14

Theory that suggests that the sacrifice and commitment to a group or cause can be negative (terrorism against innocent people) or positive (a religious commitment toward the betterment of all humankind). People construct and maintain cultural world views as a way of avoiding the anxiety and fear that comes from the knowledge that death is inevitable. Contends that people are driven to deal with inevitable death by striving for immortality in the hereafter.

Question 15

Risky shift

Answer 15

The tendency of groups to develop belief and make decisions that are more extreme than the initial inclination of its members

Question 16

Lone wolf terrorist

Answer 16

one, two, or three individuals who carry out terrorist activities. Main characteristics include:

• operating individually, not affiliated with an organization
• act without direct influence of leader
• often claim to act on behalf of a group, however
• acts are premeditated and carefully planned
• more emotionally disturbed than other group terrorists
• have poor social and interpersonal skills

Question 17

Cultural devaluation

Answer 17

a process that occurs when a group or culture is selected by another group or culture as a scapegoat or an idealogical enemy

Question 18

Cognitive restructuring

Answer 18

a psychological process that involves moral justifications, euphemistic language, and advantageous comparisons.

Question 19

Moral justification

Answer 19

Enables people to engage in reprehensible conduct by telling themselves that their actions are socially worthy and have an ultimate moral and good purpose.

Question 20

Euphemistic language

Answer 20

Based on the well-known research that language shapes thought patterns on which people base many of their actions. People can display more cruelty or at least feel better about what they are doing when their conduct is given a sanitized or neutral label

Question 21

Advantageous comparisons

Answer 21

When terrorists are convinced that their way of life and fundamental cultural values are superior to those they attack. This is further advanced when terrorists are told and come to believe that the enemy engages in widespread cruelties and inhumane treatment of the people the terrorists represent.

Question 22

dehumanization

Answer 22

It is easier to mistreat and kill strangers who are divested of human qualities. mistreating or randomly killing humanized or known persons significantly increases the risk of self-condemnation

Question 23

Displacement or responsibility

Answer 23

When terrorists view their actions as stemming from the dictates of authorities and leaders rather than from their own personal responsibility.

Question 24

Diffusion of responsibility

Answer 24

Similar to the concept of deindividuation, when the collective identity results in members taking part in actions that they may individually find horrific, but feel like they are absolved due to being part of a group