The article discusses the underlying psychology that can result in acts of terror that utilize suicide as a primary component. These acts are intrinsically associated with the capacity of a culture or society to implement specific values or perspectives that dramatically change the mentality of those involved through the use of interpersonal and group-based practices. The purpose of the research is to provide insight to experts in the psychology of terrorism that can help them to better understand the mental health conditions of these individuals. In doing so it is hoped that a basic understanding of the processes that result in terrorist activities can be conceived. This is important due to the need to better understand the mentality of terrorists, which can be an essential factor in limiting their capacity to use violence in order to attain their goals.
Through the analysis and assessment of both individual and group models the study is able to account for the individual's specific mental state in the context of the larger social and cultural psychology that they are a part of. This framework has a profound effect on the psychological and mental processes that control the actions of these individuals. Understanding these actions can be a major benefit to the ability to prevent terrorist acts. After the World Trade Centers were attacked in 2001, interest in the mentality of terrorists has grown dramatically. This is likely due to both an interest in the psychological community as well as a utilitarian need to understand them in order to limit the possibilities of similar events occurring in the future.
Research indicates that, while it might be tempting to simply label these individuals as insane, there are complex psychological processes at work that indicate a whitewashing of mental support in order to strengthen and reinforce the identities that those planning and implementing the acts wish them to have. This demonstrates that it is essential to “understand as fully as possible an increasingly common and deadly human behavior” (Post et al., 2009, p. 14). Understanding the difference between suicide committed for personal gains versus those that commit the act in a sacrificial sense, in order to further the betterment of society as a whole, presents a major aspect of the mentality of these individuals.
Terrorist acts are fundamentally political in nature. The underlying nature and scale of conflict coupled with the notion of targeting civilian rather than military populations is the defining characteristic of the act. The use of fear presents a basic limitation to the ideological views of those in the societies that are attacked. The use of terror is able to diminish the level of certainty that those in society have of their overall safety. Terrorism, for this reason, can be conceived of as essentially symbolic in nature. Those who commit terrorist acts commit violence in an effort to undermine the stability of a state, government, or authority. These groups can be seen to be lacking in the military might necessary to fully overthrow these agencies.
Through the use of terror, violence, and coercion the activities of terrorists are largely geared towards focusing on a specific section of the political realm and bringing attention to a larger portion of the population. This focus, which is often geared towards large pockets of civilian populations demonstrates a growing danger in the modern world. Most modern governments view the use of terrorism as “a major security threat” (Post et al., 2009, p. 15). This threat has the capacity to decouple the sense of safety of a society from the level of threat that is faced and the possibility of being at the heart of a terrorist attack. The use of suicide terrorism in order to achieve these objectives can be understood in relation to the larger political and religious context of Muslim belief.
In regards to Islam in particular, the idea of suicide bombing has become intrinsically associated with the notion of jihad. This term has become concurrent with the idea of a “holy war” however, within Islam itself this idea is generally simply understood as a source of “effort” and “striving.” This demonstrates that these terrorist groups act upon a specific interpretation of Islam. Due to the fact that it can be considered the defense of Islam against the unjust and corrupt temptations of Satan it has been used throughout history as a source of legitimacy for leaders of Islamic communities to demand that their followers take part in conflict. This “jihad of the sword” has resulted in a basic misinterpretation of jihad in the west as being clearly defined by holy war.
The growing threat of terrorism is generally coupled with a level of communication that has devolved into basic warfare. This is, in the modern world, seen to be the result of a “rhetoric of belligerence” (Post et al., 2009, p. 16). That has been exacerbated by authoritative leaders that used the social and political tensions of their countries in order to consolidate power under a unified front. This desire has essentially resulted in the creation of a polarized view of society which is based on the implementation of power and authority in the name of Muhammad in order to spread the ideologies of their specific views.
The growing threat of suicide terrorism can therefore be understood in relation to the cultural aspects of their situation as well as the level of political incentive that has been presented by those that are leading the charge. Assessment of these threats indicates “the crucial role of group and organizational psychology” in developing the mentality of the suicide terrorist (Post et al., 2009, p. 18). This has resulted in what has been termed a collective identity. The complex interrelationships of culture and social interaction results in the consolidation of power towards a specific viewpoint which can have profound negative consequences in certain situations. This collective identity can ultimately result in the onset of suicide terrorism as the needs of society in general begin to be seen as outweighing the value of the individual.
It is evident that Islam is a complex religion that has a variety of perspectives and viewpoints regarding the underlying message that it is presenting. This message is inherently reflected in the actions that believers take in order to promote their views. These actions are primarily based in the underlying social or cultural values that are at work in their communities. Furthermore, the greater political context and the desires of those that have implemented Islam in an authoritative way can also have a profound impact on the focus of these individuals. Suicide terrorism is therefore predicated on the inherent values that exist within a community. These values can be leveraged so that the individuals that hold them can be manipulated into taking part in action st that they otherwise would not.
References
Post, J.M., Schuyler, F.A., Henderson, W., Shanfield, S., Victoroff, J., & Weine, S. (2009). The Psychology of Suicide Terrorism. Psychiatry 72(1), 13-31.
