Genesis of Terrorism An exploration of the causes of terrorism and of the conditions that produce them Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Department of Psychology University at Buffalo

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Distinguishing Terrorism from Other Types of Terror Terrorism can be distinguished from other types of terror in that it is: goal oriented not gratuitous always directed at a larger audience designed to produce a “positive” societal change facilitated by both active supporters and sympathizers Terrorism is usually viewed as a glorious endeavor by its perpetrators “One person’s terrorist is another person’s freedom fighter.”

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Terrorism Support Base Actual terrorists Active supporters Passive supporters Sympathizers

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Perspectives on Terrorism Syndrome view (pathological terror looking for a cause?) Terrorist activity fulfills some psychological need Identifiable characteristics individuals groups Tool view (social activism looking for a solution?) Terrorist activity has a strategic objective More evasive identifiable characteristics means-ends psychology uses terrorism when other “means” are not effective in achieving the desired “ends” individual and group ‘traits’ are likely to be more subtle

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Terrorism as a Syndrome Emphasizes psychological characteristics of the individual that lead to terrorism Individual profiling is valid Violence prone individuals select terrorism as the preferred path to social-political change More similar to pathological terror than to criminal terror

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Terrorism as a Tool Emphasizes social-political conditions of the environment that lead to terrorism Individual profiling has limited utility (group profiling probably more useful) Individuals not necessarily prone to violence select terrorism as the only viable path to social-political change More similar to criminal terror than to pathological terror

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. ‘Hybrid’ View Emphasizes individual adaptations to the perception of social-political conditions (e.g., social cognition) Some individuals may more easily turn to terrorist solutions than others Individual profiling potentially somewhat useful Some elements of both pathological and criminal terror

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Out of the rubble of despair comes the hope for change... and another terrorist is born. Social, political, and economic disparity breed discontent. Discontent sometimes leads to despair that can spawn terrorism. Civilizations once great often seek to return to their former grandeur. Religious fervor can give spiritual meaning to the struggle, and the struggle can provide purpose for life itself.

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Path to Terrorism: Model #1 From Borum, 2003

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Path to Terrorism: Model #2 Feelings of Empowerment and Ability to Affect Change Social-Political Activism Democratic Reform or alternative evolution of social structure Social, Political, Economic, or Religious Strife Psychological Despair and Feelings of Hopelessness Blame SelfBlame Others Psychological Depression Suicide Indoctrination into culture of hatred Homicide Terrorist Criminal Adaptive Coping Response Psychopathologial

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Path to Terrorism: Model #3 Modeling Behavior Social Contagion Theory “Brain Washing” Learning, conditioning, and social modeling are important factors for understanding the spread of terrorism Small Large Group Dynamics Psychological Sociological Factors

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Terrorism and Social Modeling Modeling behavior can explain many aspects of terrorist behavior for those born into a culture of terrorism, but it fails to explain the genesis of the terrorist movement Modeling behavior may offer an adequate explanation for the ‘soldiers’ but not for the leaders of terrorist movements Social learning approaches to understanding terrorism have limited utility

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Terrorist’s Mindset Identification of problem Social/political/economic injustice Identification of cause Oppressive group creating the inequity/injustice Identification of solution Radical change through the use of terror Process actualization Learning to ‘kill’

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Progression to Terrorist The transition to terrorism might be viewed within the general framework of motivational psychology “To do or not to do?”Approach Behavior (no conflict) Approach-Approach Conflict Approach-Avoidance Conflict A simple motivational analysis focuses on the dynamic interactions of three classes of variables Increased motivation to affect change Decreased competitive behaviors alternative paths to change “others things to do” Decreased inhibitions restraining the use of violence

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Motivational Analysis: Factor #1 — Intensified Motivation for Change Commonly experienced psychological condition yielding varied responses Goal unobstructed Work merrily away pursuing ‘the good life’ Goal obstructed Increased effort to obtain goal through normal ‘channels’ Search for alternative methods of obtaining goal Search for substitute goals

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Motivational Analysis: Factor #2 — Diminished Competing Behaviors Multiple ‘choices’ of goals complicate life and diminish motivational focus for any single goal People are much less willing to give-up their life when they have something to live for and not just the promise of a better afterlife

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Motivational Analysis: Factor #3 — Diminished Inhibitions for Violence Single most important factor for understanding why some people progress from activists to terrorists Moral disengagement can explain the psychological transformation necessary for otherwise ‘normal’ people to engage in terrorist activity

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Killing Another Human Being is Seldom Easy Homicide accidental (most people are naturally capable) fit of rage (many people are naturally capable) premeditated (few people are naturally capable) Moral disengagement facilitates the process unnecessary for a few people (e.g., “natural born killers”) can be serendipitous or systematically ‘programmed’

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Moral Disengagement Moral justification Sanitizing the language Diffusion or displacement of responsibility Attribution of blame to victims Dehumanization of victims From Bandura, 1990

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Three Variables Can Shift the Precarious Balance from Activism to Terrorism Motivation for change Competing alternative behaviors Inhibition of violent behavior Activism Terrorism

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Transitioning to Terrorism Actual terrorists Active supporters Passive supporters Sympathizers Diminished alternative behaviors Intensified motivation Empathy Moral disengagement

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. The reasons for the conflict are usually quite obvious The reasons for the transition into terrorist action are often less clear

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. What factors produce the transition from inactivity to activity? Intensified motivation? Diminished competing behaviors? From supporter to active participant? Diminished inhibitions?

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Some Psychological Principles within the Realm of Normal Behavior Applicable to Terrorist Behavior Frustration-aggression Displacement behavior (beyond above) Modeling behavior Social contagion (beyond above) Social cognition Moral disengagement Classical and operant conditioning

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Levels of Involvement Organizers/Leaders Active Followers Supporters Sympathizers Initiate the movement Sustain the movement

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. If the source of the conflict cannot be peacefully resolved, then Counter-terrorism efforts should target foremost the organizers/leaders They are essential to the organization They are often not easy to replace Unfortunately the followers are usually the ones easiest to capture

Copyright 2006 Michael A. Bozarth, Ph.D. Sources Bandura, A., et al. (1996). Mechanism of moral disengagement in the exercise of moral agency. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 7, Borum, R. (2003). Understanding the terrorist mind-set. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, July, 1-10.