Instrumental and Psychological Explanations - Psycology of Extremist - Lecture Slides, Slides of Psychology

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Who Becomes A Terrorist?

Instrumental and

Psychological Explanations

Who Becomes A Terrorist?

Instrumental Explanations

• Four Main Questions:
• In Which Immediate Political Contexts Should We Expect Terrorism to Be a Rational Choice for Groups?
• Which Individuals Should Be Expected to Rationally Choose to Become a Member of a Group Whose Main Political Weapon is Terrorism?

What Leads to the Rational

Development of Terrorist

Movements?

• Preconditions
• Permissive:  Modernization – restructuring of societies (cultural), transportation and communication (mobility and publicity)  Urbanization – provides more opportunity for interaction and covert operations, and eliminates other options such as guerilla and full- frontal assaults (concentration of state power)  Social Facilitation – social habits and historical traditions (Irish example)

What Leads to the Rational

Development of Terrorist

Movements?

• Preconditions
• Enabling:

Concrete grievances among a subgroup – this can lead to the development of social movements to redress the grievances

Lack of opportunity for political participation – this may not be directed toward any particular subgroup

Extremist Elite

• Willing to suffer large personal costs to receive potential benefits
• Basic Necessities Covered (Time, Energy, Requisite Resources)
• Educated individuals who have an idea of what government should do, what the government is doing wrong, and an idea that activism works

Problem of Collective

Action: The Advantage of

Extremist Elites

• Extremist Elites Have Many Problems; Overcoming Immediate Collective Action Problems Not Normally One
• Olsonian Collective Action Problem:  Like minded individuals want to get the same thing accomplished  As the group gets larger, free riding more likely  Excessive free riding equals the end of the endeavor (example of collective security and the UN)  Solutions: Selective incentives for large groups, highly motivated individuals each willing to bear a large part of the burden of getting the job done in small groups  For Extremist Elite – Self Selection Diminishes Free Riding

Permissive Preconditions : Modernization Urbanization Social Facilitation

Enabling Preconditions : Concrete Grievances No Opportunity for Political Participation

Apathetic Subgroup Majority :

• Costs of redressing grievances higher than likely benefits

Motivated Extremist Elite Minority : Benefits of redressing grievances higher than costs Educated Fewer time or material constraints on participation

Small-Group Collective Action Solution Precipitating Factor/Event Broader Terrorist Campaign involvement of subgroup majority

Pressure on target Change in Status Quo

Important Anomalies

Concerning Terrorism For

Which Rational Choice Theory

Seems Ill-Equipped

• Why do we sometimes see extremely young individuals sacrificing their lives for a cause they may not understand, and when they may not have felt the oppression that is the root enemy of the group? (e.g., Hamas)
• Why do we see extremely violent attacks that seem to guarantee the subsequent eradication of the group? (e.g., Al-Queda)
• Why do we see the continuation of terrorist violence by groups even after the defeat of the groups or the attainment of objectives (e.g., PIRA)

Psychological Perspectives

on Terrorism

• Group Psychology:

Two general areas of interest

The desire of individuals to join groups (identity, camaraderie)

The effects of group dynamics on individual/group thinking (groupthink)

Why do Individuals Form or

Join Terrorist Groups?

• Rational Choice Explanation:

Relatively educated, financially secure, politically motivated

Join to change unjust status quo

Willing to incur high costs

Time and energy Possible retaliation by status quo power Banishment from society

Why do Individuals Participate

in and Escalate Terrorist

Violence after Joining?

• Rational Choice Explanation:

Choice commensurate with cost- benefit analysis Power very limited, but circumstances dictate that the cause can be furthered by using violence

Status quo power too cruel, unjust to allow SQ to continue (Crenshaw – precipitant)

Why do Individuals Participate

in and Escalate Terrorist

Violence after Joining?

• Psychological Explanations:
• After completing mundane tasks:  Gradual indoctrination, socialization, desensitization to violence  “Defining moment” – der sprung  Guilt associated with violence mitigated by group acceptance and sense of identification (may not even be justifiable)  Peer pressure promotes self-sacrifice  Solidarity via violence (greater violence = greater solidarity)  Can cause continuation/needless escalation of violence