Why Do Some People Become Terrorists?

Summary

This DNews episode delves into the psychology behind terrorism, challenging the notion of terrorists as mentally unstable. It discusses how factors like alienation, a desire for belonging, and a sense of injustice often motivate individuals to join terrorist groups. The video also addresses the 'us vs them' mentality and the dehumanization of victims. It highlights the importance of understanding the paths to radicalization and providing alternatives, rather than focusing on a single terrorist profile. The episode concludes by emphasizing the need for more research and the complexity of studying terrorism due to the scarcity of data.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Terrorism is a complex issue that psychology attempts to understand, rather than excuse.
• 🔍 Terrorists are not defined by a single personality type; they are a diverse group with various motivations.
• 🌐 Alienation, disenfranchisement, and a sense of social injustice often drive individuals to join terrorist groups.
• 👨‍🎓 Adolescent men are particularly susceptible to recruitment due to their search for belonging and purpose.
• 🤝 Once part of a terrorist group, individuals develop an 'us vs them' mentality that suppresses empathy.
• 🚫 Some terrorists draw arbitrary lines, distinguishing between acceptable and unacceptable actions within their cause.
• 🤔 Boredom, adventure-seeking, and the desire to leave a legacy can also be factors in joining terrorist groups.
• 🤝 Groupthink within terrorist organizations can lead to further radicalization and a sense of duty to support the group.
• 👮‍♂️ Dissent within terrorist groups is often silenced due to fear of consequences and lack of state support for deserters.
• 🚫 It's misleading to attribute terrorism to religious faith alone; many are new to the religion and lack deep understanding.
• 🔄 Focus should be on understanding the paths to radicalization and providing alternatives to prevent recruitment.

Q & A

What is the definition of a terrorist according to the script?

A terrorist is defined as a non-state group that uses violence against non-combatants for political gain, with the goal of instilling fear by targeting innocent people where they feel safe.

Why is it difficult to identify a single personality disorder that defines a terrorist?

Psychologists have been trying for over 40 years to identify a defining characteristic that unites terrorists, but there is no one archetype that every terrorist conforms to. There are risk factors and common threads, but no single personality disorder that can be universally applied.

What are some of the common motivations for individuals to join terrorist groups?

Recruits are often motivated to join terrorist groups because they feel alienated or disenfranchised, perceive themselves as victims of social injustice, or are frustrated with other methods of political change and seek immediate action without a problem with violence against the state.

Why are adolescent men particularly drawn to terrorism according to Steve Taylor?

Adolescent men are drawn to terrorism because they are at a point in their lives when they are looking for a sense of belonging and purpose, which terrorist groups can offer.

How does the 'us' vs 'them' mentality affect a terrorist's empathy towards their victims?

The 'us' vs 'them' mentality makes it easier for terrorists to switch off empathy towards their victims, viewing the deaths they cause as more akin to destroying an object than ending a life.

What are some reasons why individuals might leave a terrorist group, as mentioned in the script?

Individuals might leave a terrorist group because they become disillusioned with the group's actions, such as when their group commits acts they consider unacceptable, like murder or theft, which conflict with their personal values.

How does groupthink within terrorist groups contribute to radicalization?

Groupthink within terrorist groups can lead to further radicalization of all members, as individuals with little going for them in their former lives are more likely to support the group's actions rather than form individual opinions and voice dissent.

What similarities does Dr. Clark R. McCauley draw between modern militaries and terrorist groups?

Dr. Clark R. McCauley points out that modern militaries and terrorist groups both use techniques that strip individuals of their individuality and place the goals of the group first.

What does Dr. Max Abrahms suggest about the religious knowledge of individuals in terrorist groups like ISIS?

Dr. Max Abrahms suggests that individuals in groups like ISIS are often ignorant with respect to religion and are generally the newest members to the religion, making them more susceptible to recruiters.

Why does John Horgan argue that identifying a perfect model of a terrorist would not be useful?

John Horgan argues that even if a perfect model of a terrorist could be identified, it wouldn't be useful because you can't arrest people just for having the potential to join violent extremists; instead, focus should be on understanding the paths that lead them to terrorism and providing options to get out.

What does the script suggest as a way to help combat terrorism?

The script encourages finding ways to help and to make the world a better place, suggesting that understanding and providing alternatives to the paths that lead to radicalization are important steps in combating terrorism.