Understanding Individuals and Society

Understanding Individuals and
Society

TOPIC
“Role of sociology and psychology in understanding society and
individual human behaviour in context of terrorism”

Terrorism
Terrorism is a broad phenomenon which creates a general
environment of fear amongst population by using violence in order
to fulfil a particular objective which can be political or religious.
Terrorism is an ideology which is based on broad classes such as
revolutionary and established terrorism. Terrorism is an issue in
contemporary society which generates multiple issues.

Sociology and psychology
Sociology is a wider concept than psychology, as it a study of whole
society and their involved patterns of social relationships. On the
other hand, psychology is a study of understanding an individual
human’s minds. In the present context, both of these concepts will be
used to understanding perception of individual beings and society
about terrorism.

Role of sociology and psychology in
understanding society and individual
human behaviour in context of
terrorism
Sociology is a study which helps in understanding the views and thoughts of people in a society about
terrorism. There are various theories which help in understanding the behaviour of population; but in the context of
selected topic, social conflict theory is most appropriate. This theory states that when few people in a society thinks
that they are inferior than other people on the basis of caste, culture, ethnicity, gender etc., a sense of revenge and
conflict develop in them.
Psychology is a concept which aids in understanding the behaviour and actions of an individual. In context
of selected topic that is terrorism, there are various theories which can help in understanding the perspectives of an
individual involved in terrorism activities or the individual being who is a part of society. Humanistic theory is
considered to be the most effective theory as it states that an individual is required to gain self-esteem and should think
good about itself.

Contemporary example
3 June, 2017 London Bridge attack: Three Islamists drove into a pedestrian on London Bridge and then stabbed various
local in this attack 8 people were killed and 48 were wounded. This incident builds a severe fear in the population of London.
By analysing above theories and contemporary example, it can be said that sociology
and psychology plays an important role in understanding the human behaviour about terrorism.

REFERENCES
Webber, D. and Kruglanski, A. W., 2018. The social psychological
makings of a terrorist. Current opinion in psychology. 19.
pp.131134.
Vaughn, L., 2019. Psychology and culture: Thinking, feeling and
behaving in a global context. Routledge.

Thank you