Psychology Assignment | Psychological Interpretations
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Added on 2020-05-16
Psychology Assignment | Psychological Interpretations
Added on 2020-05-16
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Running head: PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERPRETATIONS OF TERRORIST ACTIVITYCritical Evaluations of Validity of Psychological Interpretations of Terrorist ActivityName of the StudentName of the UniversityAuthor Note
1PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERPRETATIONS OF TERRORIST ACTIVITYIntroductionThis assignment aims to develop a critical evaluation of the validity of psychologicalinterpretations of terrorist activity. In this context, psychology of terrorists is not only necessaryto take into account. However, the impact of terrorist activities on the psychology of civilians isalso important to take into consideration. However, the main responsibility of this assignment isto analyze and synthesize what has been informed from the scientific and professional literatureabout the ‘psychology of terrorism’. As psychology is considered as “the science of humanbehavior”, it appears a rationale, and potentially productive, line of investigation. Hence, interms of understanding terrorism, it requires to take a rational approach in putting closeobservation on terrorism. Detailed biography of terrorists is essential to take into account in this reference. However,the lack of information relating to the biography of terrorists is the one of the premium barriersin terms of understanding the psychology of terrorists. Any psychological trauma and socialunjust in the biography of terrorists is important to take into consideration for comprehendingwhy an individual becomes a terrorist. It is regarded that in order to change human nature anddimensions of terrorism, three interlocking trends are responsible: globalization of commerce,travel and information share which causes economic inequality and ideological competitionwithin the people in the world. Defining and conceptualizing terrorismTerrorism is considered to be a very big and broad factor. This is one of the mostmenacing facts in the contemporary society (Jongman 2017). The entire international communityis very much concerned about this fact. All the people are terrified indeed. This has become oneof the most powerful things in the present situation. The international community is very muchworried about all the things that are taking place all over the world. The terrorist activities areincreasing everyday indeed. In this context it is extremely essential to define the term ‘terrorism’(Hiro 2014). All the powerful states have included the factor of terrorism in their foreign policiesindeed. The sources of the growth of the terrorist activities are being aggravated by the inventionof the new communication technologies. The terrorists nowadays can reach to their targets very
2PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERPRETATIONS OF TERRORIST ACTIVITYfast and swiftly indeed with the help of these technologies. It is not that terrorism did not exist inthe past. However, the threats have increased a lot of terrorism in the past few decades (Jongman2017).It can also be critically argued by Jongman that terrorism has been a menacing thing inthe contemporary period. The other critics have argued that the terrorism is not the outcome ofone single aspect. The psychology of the terrorists also has a big part in understanding thereasons for terrorism. It is very difficult to give a proper definition of the term ‘terrorism’. This term is verycomplex indeed. The terrorism can rise from many instincts be it religious or atrocities betweenthe nations. Terrorism is a sheer reflection of menace for most people. It is very important totrace the psychology that works behind the making of the terrorists (Combs 2017). The terroristgroups can be different international and regional terrorist groups. The different things like theimpact of terrorism have shed a great influence in shaping up of the community properly. Thereare many definitions of terrorism. Some people think its to be a mere representation of thepolitical differences between the two nations. The aspects of anger arise from the very core set ofbeliefs of the people. There are some important medium of terrorism like the guerilla warfare,insurrection, religious rebellion and many other things (Combs 2017). The movements areorganized by the followers of certain religious groups. These are just organized terrorist activitiesthat are very hard to combat indeed (Thackrah 2013). The acts of terrorism are directed towardsthe common people or the civilians so the terrorists can send a message to their enemies. Combs(2017), has argued that the terrorists have a proper psychology that is completely different fromothers. Their sole intention is to spread terror and threatening everyone. Others have confrontedthat the terrorists are not born like that. They are the victims of certain situations. That is how theterrorists spread their activities all across the world.Dimensions of terrorismTerrorism has risen to be a violent activity. It can be called the disease of the society.This disease has to be getting rid of somehow indeed. Otherwise, this would spread like anepidemic in all countries and continents of the world. It has been observed that the mostpowerful counties in Europe and USA have been the victims of these terrorist activities all over.This is why the countries are very much worried about these facts. United States has been the
3PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERPRETATIONS OF TERRORIST ACTIVITYbiggest victim of terrorism in the last few decades when their epitome of pride, World TradeCenter was crashed down to earth by the terrorists in September, 2001. The national leaders are of the opinion that terrorism always kills the common people andit is motivated by the political purposes of some individuals or groups. The political and religiousaspects have been mostly highlighted in terms of defining terrorism. The most importantelements that can be attributed to terrorism are the premeditation, political motivation,noncombatants, and the existence of the perpetrators. The first aspect or element of terrorismrefers to the premeditation of committing the activity (Gerhards and Schäfer 2014). It has to bementioned that terrorism cannot be taken as a certain instance because it is not case of accident.It is completely a case of series of premeditated decisions that are implemented indeed. The actof terrorism cannot be that much successful all the time but the intention of committing theattacks should always be there in the minds of the terrorists. One cannot simply attack at an areaof mass population and explode it completely (Gerhards and Schäfer 2014).The arguments aredone on the different dimensions of terrorism. The critics have already discussed that manycauses like social and psychological are mixed with each other and gives birth to such an evillike terrorism. The political elements are very much present in the terrorist activities. Gerhardsand Scahafer (2014), have argued that the intention of the terrorists are fixed on the massdestruction and they are quite premeditated in their target as well. According to the second element, it is considered to be the most important element in themodern context (Carlton and Schaerf 2015). The aspect of politics is very much important for theshaping of the international communities. The criminal rage can be an outcome of the politicalatrocity indeed. The physical security of the countries has to be secured by any means indeed.This is why the leaders of the countries are keen on making new policies that would stop theterrorists to make such plans of destructions. The new laws are being enforced to combat the stopthe terrorist activities (LaFree, Dugan and Miller 2014). Whatever the cause might be, the endresult is the same and it is nothing than mass destruction. Some various social issues are alsointerrelated with the factors of the political issues. The religious issues have also come to light inthis aspect as well. It is a complete threat to many issues indeed.
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