L4 - Terrorism and Extremist Violence Flashcards
Who said this:
“ individuals whose offences are committed in association with a group, cause or ideology that propagates extremist views and actions and justifies the use of violence and other illegal activities in pursuit of its objectives”
Extremist Prisoners Working Group 2007
What is the term for a simple diagnostic story that reduces the complexity of a multifaceted state of affairs and allows you to project blame for your situation on to a group of other (persecuting) peopl
The single narrative
What is the single narrative?
A simple diagnostic story that reduces the complexity of a multifaceted state of affairs and allows you to project blame for your situation on to a group of other (persecuting) peopl
Why might a single narrative propel individuals into taking action?
They provide a diagnostic function, someone to blame
What are some common beliefs about Islamist terrorists?
They:
- are hard and ruthless
- are fanatical and impossible to change
- are controlled by ISIS/Al Qaeda
- are highly religious and knowledgeable about Islam
- hate the west
- want to impose Sharia law on the west
- are altruistic in motivation, prepared to act as martyrs for their cause
- are capable of large scale violence towards civilians.
What are some commonalities between far right extremist groups and Islamic extremist groups?
- Poor adjustment, hadn’t found their place in society. Need for identity and status
- Believe themselves to be the victim of conspiracies
- Project blame for all their ills on to an out-group
- Feel unsupported by government and believe that their race or culture is threatened with annihilation
- Adhere to ‘absolute truth’
- Believe they have God on their side and that there will be a ‘racial holy war’ or day of judgement when their enemies will be punished and they will be redeemed
- Use emotive language
◦ to invoke family loyalty within the in-group (‘brothers’ ‘sisters’ ‘umma’ - wider Muslim community),
◦ to dehumanise their enemies (‘infidel’, ‘mud people’)
◦ to enhance themselves (‘martyrs’ ‘vanguard’ etc.) - Excitement for militancy, challenge and adventure
Who coined the term cognitive integrative complexity?
Suedfeld (1992)
What is cognitive integrative complexity?
Refers to function of higher brain in it’s ability to discriminate between complicated concepts, that involve keeping multiple things in our heads at any one time.
What is high IC?
Associated with higher brains, which involve the cortex and higher level thinking.
What is low IC?
The greater use of lower brains, which are more categorical and more used when short of time or under stress.
How can text be scored based on IC?
- number of discriminations/finer points
- number of overall constructs that integrate into an wider/whole truth.
How are pre-war speeches designed in order to best prepare troops?
- Designed to get followers to think with their lower brains.
- Creates categorical comparisons, e.g. ‘you’re either with me, or you’re not.’
- Fight or flight. Reduces a complex situation into a simple choice between survival and annihilation.
Why is Moghaddam’s (2004) terrorism staircase not considered as a theory?
It has no explanatory power.
What is Moghaddam’s (2004) terrorism staircase?
Describes an empirical state of beliefs of people. Less people believe in each stair the further up the staircase you go.
What did John Horgan (2013) say about radicalisation?
“The idea that radicalisation causes terrorism is perhaps the greatest myth alive today in terrorism research”
John Horgan 2013
Most terrorists are _____?
Actually criminals, with a criminal background. Have a bipolar view of the world and already have prepared themselves to break laws/overcome inhibitions, etc.
