Origins of Terrorism
Psychologies, Ideologies, Theologies, States of Mind
Published on 25. May 1990
Book
Hardback
300 pages
978-0-521-38563-3 (ISBN)
Description
This book breaks new ground in examining and explaining the nature and sources of terrorists' beliefs and actions. Earlier attempts to explain the psychology of terrorism have tended to ignore the phenomenon's diversity. Too often, they have focussed on one particular terrorist group or individual or on one simple psychological theory. The contributors to this book explore terrorist behaviour in all its troubling richness and diversity, and identify the ways in which it develops, grows and sustains itself. Looking at the areas of ideology, nationalism and religion, they study the mechanisms that enable terrorists to carry out violent acts against innocents, as well as the ways in which leaders of governments respond to terrorist actions and threats. Finally, they identify the opportunities for future research on the psychology of terrorism as well as the limits of such research.
Reviews / Votes
'These essays contain an excellent blend of theory with specific facts ... I don't know of another book which has the sweep of this one.' David F. Musto, Yale School of MedicineMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 228 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 26 mm
Weight
598 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-38563-3 (9780521385633)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Content
Preface; Introduction; Part I. Strategy or Psychology? Origins of Terrorist Behaviour: 1. The logic of terrorism: terrorist behaviour as a product of strategic choice Martha Crenshaw; 2. Terrorist psycho-logic: terrorist behaviour as a product of psychological forces Jerrold M. Post; Part II. Varieties of Terrorism: Ideological and Religious Motivations: 3. Ideology and rebellion: terrorism in West Germany Konrad Kellen; 4. Ideology and repentance: terrorism in Italy Franco Ferracuti; 5. The psychopolitical formation of extreme left terrorism in a democracy: the case of the weathermen Ehud Sprinzak; 6. Terrorism in democracies: its social and political bases Ted Robert Gurr; 7. Sacred terror: a contemporary example from Islam David C. Rapoport; 8. The moral logic of Hizballah Martin Kramer; Part III. States of Mind: How Do Terrorists Think? Which Psychological Mechanisms Enable Them To Do What They Do?: 9. Mechanism of moral disengagement Albert Bandura; 10. The readiness to kill and die: suicidal terrorism and indiscriminate violence in the Middle East Ariel Merari; Part IV. Responding To Terrorism: Decision-making and the Pressures on Leadership: 11. Hostage taking, the presidency, and stress Margaret G. Hermann and Charles F. Hermann; 12. Taking vows: the domestication of policy-making in hostage incidents Gary Sick; Part V. The Psychology of Terrorism: What Can We Know, What Must We Learn?: 13. Questions to be answered, research to be done, knowledge to be applied Martha Crenshaw; 14. Understanding terrorist behaviour: the limits and opportunities of psychological inquiry Walter Reich.