Terrorism Evolving: A Sociology And Psychological Approach

Terrorism Evolving: A Sociology and Psychological Approach The nature of terrorism is to project fear and chaos throughout civilian populations. Terrorist groups are typically more mentally stable than most violent criminals and their actions are inspired through their beliefs in justification and necessity (Bartol & Bartol, 2014). Current efforts by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) focus on technological methods to predict and prevent terrorist threats. Since the attack of 9/11 the FBI has switch from a reactive approach to a proactive intelligence motivated strategy approach (Comey, 2016). This paper aims to provide an understanding of why people join terrorist organizations, what the typical personalities of terrorist groups

The members within a terrorist group will share common sociological traits to help understand the intent of the organization (Hudson, 1999). The social problems and environmental factors of a terrorist organization leader show the reasons the violent acts are committed and potentially outline what the terrorist organization end goal incorporates. The relevance in understanding a Terrorists individual personality is shown through the need-to-know intentions of the terrorist. To understand what a terrorist next step will be against the civilian population, there needs to be an understanding of the desires and root cause of the evolved foundation. Terrorist commonly share ‘narcissistic and boarder personality disturbances’ which has led to a misunderstanding of good and bad parts of themselves throughout their childhood (Hudson, 199). Environmental factors and personalities of an individual that emulates terrorist activity is key to prevent future actions. Once the evaluation of the terrorist individual personality is analyzed analysts can determine between participants that started the violent attacks and also determine the preconditions that allow percipients to instigate the actions (Hudson, 1999). It is difficult to find the actual leaders of terrorist organizations unless they want the public to know. When terrorist organization leaders publicly

The motivation for engaging in terrorism being understood makes the terrorism vulnerable for persuasion and temptation (Borum, 2004). Law enforcement will draw out the terrorist activities through psychological and sociological tactics relating to the observed traits. The goal of seeking vulnerabilities of terrorism is motioned through an understanding of “factors that point to some people having a greater openness to increase engagement than others (Borum, 2004, p. 24).” The publicity that many terrorist organizations seek when trying to incorporate fear to the civilian population is in turn releasing a vulnerability for law enforcement agencies to further analyze the traits. The essential vulnerabilities through psychological traits of terrorism are perceived injustice, the need for an identity, and the need for a sense of belonging (Borum, 2004). Terrorist groups recruiting new members are vulnerable. New recruits are more susceptible to being caught or failing to stay off of the radar from law enforcement. A terrorist groups needs followers and activist to ensure maximum fear in the civilian population. When the members of a terrorist organization see a new leader, or feel the leader is not adequate the organization as a whole is at risk to deactivate or be