National Center for the Combat of Terrorism - Research Proposal Example

NATIONAL CENTER FOR THE COMBAT OF TERRORISM Importance of Psychologist Terrorism is related as violence that originates from the psychology of human. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the psychology of terrorist. Despite the ongoing efforts to understand the causes, determinants and motivations of the behavior of terrorist better, it is essential to look on the basis of professional and scientific literature to analyze the findings. (Bongar, Brown, Beutler, Breckenridge, & Zimbardo, 2007) The key findings on the psychology of terrorist include:- Besides the basing of early writings on the Psychoanalytical theory like narcissism, there is a current trend of moving to other approaches. People become terrorists in different roles, ways purposes that are also different. It is essential to set off between the objectives for joining, leaving and remaining in the terrorist organization. It is necessary to identify the most common vulnerabilities among the potential terrorist which include need for identity and belonging and noted injustice. Mental illness is not a captious factor in explaining the behavior of a terrorist. Moreover, most of the terrorists are not insane. (Stout, 2002) There is no accurate profile for the terrorists either psychologically or otherwise. Although abuse and trauma in childhood, are the historical themes that are known as perceived humiliation and injustice in the terrorists’ biographies, they do not exponentially help in terrorism explanation. The ideology of terrorism tends to give a set of beliefs that justify and authorize certain behaviors. Those beliefs are looked upon as perfect and actions are seen as attending a meaningful cause. Not all ideologies of the extremists promote violence neither are all of them violent. One might ask if the driving of this ideology is more promoted by the “cause” or by ruining the opposers. There is a high possibility of eroding the powerful and natural occurring barriers that accommodate human killing. This can be done either though the influence of the outside society of the environment or by changing the perception of the situation by the person. In the understanding that all the Terrorist groups just like social groupings have certain external and internal existing vulnerabilities; it is possible to disseminate them in this context. (Elmes, Kantowitz, & III, 2011) However, little analysis or research has been done on recruitment of terrorists. The efforts of recruitment do appear in areas with concentration of people feeling high level of deprivation and dissatisfaction. The critical aspect is relationship. This is what is used by effective recruiters in the exploitation of a sense of urgency and imminence. It is essential to understand effective leaders of the terrorist organizations are able to maintain a belief system that is collective; able to establish and maintain routines in the organization; control communication flow in a secretive manner; manipulate incentives or purposive goals for all the followers; turn around conflict to external targets and keep the action going. (Laurence & Matthews, 2012) Psychological research in terrorism lacks rigor and substance. The factors that culturally form the basis of research work and are vital have not been studied. Moreover, psychological research should be concurrent within the operations that are ongoing. They should maintain a focus that is anchored on behavior and should derive interpretation from analysis of incidents that are related to the behaviors. This means that the research on psychology of terrorism cannot be static in any way but has to be dynamic. Therefore, it is prudent to have the inclusion of psychologist in the undertaking of all approaches of fighting terrorism in the best strategies. (Hall, 2010) The act of terrorism revolves around the creation of violence. Therefore, it is beneficial to understand the psychology behind violence creation. There are a number of psychological approaches that help in understanding violence that is related to terrorism. It is necessary to understand how psychologist and behavior sciences have the resolve to explain violence behavior in a general way. The definition of violence and terrorism in the social science are numerous. Most of the definitions points on causing harm to others while some include self-mutilation and suicide as violence in the form of “self-violence”. The right meaning and description of violence has a restriction of parameters that are exceedingly narrow. (Doherty, 2007) The psychology of terrorism has a number of approaches which include theoretical, biological and raw empirical approaches. The Theoretical approach of understanding violence involves instinct theory that addresses the roots of all violence forms in a psychoanalytical way. It also has ethology. The Theoretical1 approach also involves Drive theory that includes aggression and frustration, Social learning theory and Cognitive theory. Biological approach involves the consideration of biological factors that relate to terrorism as a result, in terms of violence. The factors are Neurochemical, Hormonal, Psychophysiological and Neuropsychological factors. Raw Empirical approaches involve the application of statistical models in explaining violence. (Tahmisoglu & Ozen, 2009) However, there is no application of a single theory that has gained improvements to all types of violence in a broader perspective. This is as a result of diversity in behavior related to violence with the understanding that violence poses as an innate barrier for such theory. Mush of the extensive empirical support And attentions has been received in line with social learning and Cognition approach. However, the much gain is not in line with terrorism to be precise. Terrorism as a form of violence is known to be deliberately instrumental and strategic. It is always linked to ideological justification, objects and involves groups or multi actors in the society. These issues compose the complexity of terrorism construction as a violence form hence challenges the upcoming of a theory that can explanatory nullify it. Key areas of research It is exceedingly difficult to determine what drive people into terrorism. This is because the act of terrorism is not a voluntary experience. The analysis of these activities from a distant will result to erroneous conclusions. Moreover, the terrorist groupings may be misunderstood as a group fighting for freedom this is evident in the support given to the suicide bombers in the Palestine by a number of Arabs. In these complexities, the psychology of terrorism is more of opinion and theory than science. (Muchinsky, 2006) The approach in key areas of research for an organization has to involve the utmost psychological areas of study in the first year. Information to that effect will assist in preventing terrorism. The psychological approach helps in combating violence through peaceful dialogue and creating an everlasting correlation among the involved parties. Therefore, it is vital to know how one can be lured into the act of terror. This aspect involves examining individual characters and digging deep down into clues that explain the desire to engage in violence. It has been found that people who are more open to terrorism tend to: They feel angry, estranged or disenfranchised. They believe that the way they are involvement in current politics does not give them opportunity to effect change. They are identified by means of sense with social injustice victims who are being fought. They feel the desire to act rather than just engaging in talks concerning the problem. They believe that being involved in violence against the state is a formal and moral act. They have friends and families who are sympathetic to the cause. (Sheppard, 2009) It is beneficial from the onset to understand the role played by cultural values. In a paradoxical approach, the fear of death unconsciously may be the underline of much motivation behind reactions of terrorism and terrorism itself. The analytical study of de-radicalization is also vital in the beginning of psychological study in relation to terrorism. This helps is possible by exploring the initiatives taken by countries such as Iraq, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and United Kingdom in seeking to soften the minds of detainees of terrorism. Therefore, it is essential to focus on the intellectual, emotional and social components that are involved in determining the best solution and approach to cub terrorism. (Bernstein, Penner, Clark-Stewart, & Roy, 2008) References Bernstein, D., Penner, L. A., Clark-Stewart, A., & Roy, E. (2008). Psychology. United States: Houghton Mifflin Company. Bongar, B., Brown, L. M., Beutler, L. E., Breckenridge, J. N., & Zimbardo, P. G. (2007). Psychology of Terrorism. New York: Oxford University Press. Doherty, G. W. (2007). Crisis Intervention Training for Disaster Workers: An Introduction. United States: Rocky Mountain DMH Institute Press. Elmes, D. G., Kantowitz, B. H., & III, H. L. (2011). Research Methods in Psychology. New York: Oxford University Press. Hall, H. V. (2010). Terrorism: Strategies for Intervention. Binghamton: The Haworth Press, inc. Laurence, J. H., & Matthews, M. D. (2012). The Oxford Handbook Of Millitary Psychology. New York: Oxford University Press. Muchinsky, P. M. (2006). Psychology Applied to Work. Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth. Sheppard, B. (2009). The psychology of Strategic Terrorism: Public and Government respose to Attack . Oxon: Routledge. Stout, C. E. (2002). The Psychology Of Terrorism. United States: Greenwood Publishing Group. Tahmisoglu, M., & Ozen, c. (2009). Transportation Security Against Terrorism. Amsterdam: IOS Press. Read More