Psychological Processes of Terrorism: A Self Analysis Essay

This essay provides a self-analysis of the psychological processes involved in terrorism, focusing on the article by Silke (2008). It examines the motivations and radicalization of individuals within terrorist organizations, particularly those associated with groups like Al-Qaeda. The essay explores the role of religious fanaticism, specifically the concept of jihad, in shaping terrorist ideologies and actions. It highlights the gradual nature of radicalization, identifying factors such as marginalization, discrimination, and a strong sense of identity as contributors. The paper emphasizes the importance of understanding the psychology behind terrorism to address its global threat, referencing specific examples like the 2005 London bombings and the 2004 Madrid attacks. The essay argues that understanding the psychological underpinnings of terrorism is crucial for security and counter-terrorism efforts.

Running Head: TERRORISM
TERRORISM
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note
1.

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Silke, A., 2008. Holy warriors: Exploring the psychological processes of jihadi
radicalization. European journal of criminology, 5(1), pp.99-123.
This paper articulately presents information about the psychology of the individuals
who have become a part of terrorist organizations and groups and engage in various terrorist
activities. Terrorism organizations this article talks about similar to the likes of Al-Qaeda and
the various other affiliates. In this world terrorism is here because of the amount of risk it
causes to the world and the people in it. Does in order to understand terrorism and must also
understand the psychology of the people who are taking active fortunate and causing brief
and destruction in countless places with violent radicalization.
The article begins with various instances of islamist suicide bombings in various
places especially the one that is carried out on 7th of July 2005 in the United Kingdoms.
Three british born terrorists along with another suicide bomber had detonated for bombs
around the city of London during the rush hour coffee morning killing 52 people and injuring
more than 700. A second wave of such terrorism was attempted but the devices and the
bombs had failed to detonate and bus no one was killed during that incidence. In 2004 similar
devastating attacks had occurred in Madrid in Spain and had to reveal to the world the
severity of terrorism crisis. This had raised questions all across the world because the places
that had been attacked were relatively peaceful and prosperous and had reason to be attacked.
Reason ceases to exist when one realizes that it was common people who were harmed in
these terrorist occurrences.
It is difficult to agree upon a certain definition of terrorism because it is a matter of
perspective but a few basic ideas are clear. Terrorism can either arise due to insurgency by
small groups that engage in organized violence as a form of campaign and the violence is

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extremely indiscriminate. Terrorists are mostly isolated and they are backed by wider support
and this Framework can be attributed to various groups in the past like the Irish republican
army for the red army faction or even the Basque separatist group, these cases of violence
typically arise because of political issues and are backed by the reason of religion. Al-Qaeda
is yet another organization of similar nature containing jihadis which helped in creating a
particularly unstable situation because of the baseless idea on which the jihadis are
operating.
Islam has two kinds of jihads, the first kind being the greater jihad and the second time being
the lesser jihad. The greatest jihad is is non violence in nature and it refers to the Muslim's
very personal struggle in order to live a life of goodness and charitability all the while
adhering to the commands that God had laid down for him as preached in Islam. It is the
people who walked down the part of the lesser jihad who take up terrorism as their struggle
because the lesser jihad refers to violence and struggle for Islam and on the behalf of Islam. It
is violence that is done in the name of Islam for Islam to reign superior.
This particular kind of jihad is extremely religiously and therefore the psychology of
this can be related to religious fanaticism where people who are turning into terrorists are
being brainwashed into believing that lesser jihad is the only way they can attain a good life
after death. They believe that redemption will be found when they raise their weapons for
Islam and the name of Islam while taking down anybody and everybody irrespective of who
they are. it is evident after all these years that this fanaticism is mostly baseless and is
instilled within people who take part in these terrorist organizations. Does they are called the
holy warriors. The change into a terrorist is rather gradual and psychology is leather complex,
various factors like deviance and the interest young men tend to display for the same, a very
strong Muslim identity, believe in radicalism and gullibility support the making of a terrorist.
People become terrorist afternoon because of marginalization in foreign countries where

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living in or because of being cut off from their original bases. Discrimination has always been
a major cause of triggering terrorist activity.
In order to understand terrorism one must also understand the psychology behind
terrorism and terrorist activities. Terrorism causes a great threat to the world given the
filtration these groups have achieved in countless places and how risky living in the spaces
might be. It is a very integral factor that needs to be considered for the risk in today's world
and as the ultimate challenge for security to tackle.

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References
Silke, A., 2008. Holy warriors: Exploring the psychological processes of jihadi
radicalization. European journal of criminology, 5(1), pp.99-123.