The aim of terrorism is to create widespread fear and group panic. Members of terrorist groups are selected with great care and then subjected to technical training and manipulation. Who are they and what psychological conditions do they present?
Table of contents:
What is terrorism?
Terrorism is defined as "force or violence directed against a group of people or institutions, with the aim of extorting by intimidation specific concessions." Ultimately, what is important is not only the achievement of specific objectives, but above all the dissemination of an atmosphere of fear and terror. This is a fear not so much of a specific threat, but especially of its unpredictability and the impossibility of controlling it. Hence, when planning attacks, particular attention is paid to their scale (number of victims) and brutality. They guarantee wider media coverage and thus create fear on a larger scale.
The psychological stages of terrorism
Recruiters of potential terrorists are extremely knowledgeable about psychological vulnerability to manipulation. As a rule, they seek out people who have been hurt, who are mourning the loss of a loved one (e.g. as a result of military action). They exploit their emotions and vulnerability by offering the possibility of revenge. These people are then 'brainwashed' to remove any moral objections and to develop the belief that the action taken is an 'act of justice'. This is also accompanied by technical training, after which the new recruit is ready to fulfil the mission.
Psychological stages of terrorism, photo: pantherstock
Psychological profile
Terrorism is not an innate trait. One of its most significant factors is the social environment. Terrorists are not individuals with unique personality disorders (Tokarska-Bahir, 2001). Research results have shown that they do not present a psychopathic personality model. Proof of the validity of these assumptions can be found in the famous Stanford Experiment conducted in 1971 by Philip Zimbardo. It shows that the conviction that one is right and the dehumanisation of victims is capable of turning any person into a terrorist. The effect of the manipulation used by terrorists is to weaken the sense of one's own identity and replace it with a so-called 'group identity'. An important element of the personality of the shaped terrorist is the belief in the uniqueness of the mission and in being the chosen one. Such people are treated with special respect in their surroundings and their families are treated like families of saints.
Particularly in this age of fear, terrorism has taken on a life of its own. Its greatest danger is the unpredictability of its actions and its ability to affect every individual. Apart from their vulnerability and susceptibility to manipulation, members of terrorist groups do not present a distinctive psychological profile.
