Cults and terrorism psychology of terrorism-chapter 11 book review example

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The goal of this chapter is to try and understand how a terrorist mind functions, what motivates it and how can we recognize and accept the danger to society that terrorist groups and individuals posses. “ Although terrorism is not a new phenomenon, terrorism today offers a much greater threat of violence to the world than ever before” (Bartol, C. R., &Bartol, A. M, 2011, p. 329). There have been a lot of attempts after the September 11, 2001. to explain and get into the core of terrorist organizations and a lot of interpretations have been written about terrorism as a modern way of fighting. At first, terrorist represented a small group of people, even individuals (lone-wolf terrorist) who tried to capture the attention of different audience. They slowly emerged into a widespread organization that has everything under its control. The first such organization on an international level is international jihadist movement under the leadership of Osama bin Laden that operates through small cells and everyone is trained to follow orders. This organization falls into, according to the FBA classification, right-wing organization. The classification made by the FBA, also divides terrorist towards their interests as a special interest extremists, radical environment groups and nuclear/biological/chemical terrorism. Their motives can also be different and they can be rationally, psychologically, and culturally motivated.
People who are a part of terrorist organization come from different class status, but they all have the same goal and that is what makes them feel as a part of group. Their leader is usually very charismatic and eloquent, and they are carefully trained to follow orders, even if it means to kill another human being or themselves (suicide bombers). How does this mind force people to kill innocent people? Psychologists explain this phenomenon as a process of dehumanization. In other words, executors do not see targeted people as human victims, but as targets. They also justify themselves as being a part of the chain, they are just following orders.
In the today’s world of globalization, where you can see on the Google map house in the remote village or where the news travel very fast, one can not but freeze at the thought of world terrorism and what can it do whenever and whatever it wants. After the 11/9, majority of Americans were frightened and their safety has been damaged. Soon afterwards, terrorism in Europe took its toll (London, 52 killed by suicide bomber in 2005). Countries in Middle East confront with causalities from terrorist attacks on everyday basis. The facts are devastating, and in my opinion, the world, regardless of the skin color, origin and religion should unite in the fight against terrorism because innocent die. The key to this is to try and build a better community, to educate young people to be more tolerant and to reduce poverty. It is a difficult task, but it isn’t an impossible one.

References:

1. Bartol, C. R., &Bartol, A. M. (2011). Criminal Behavior: A Psychological Approach (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education/Prentice Hall.