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The Sociology and Psychology of Terrorism: Who Becomes a Terrorist and Why?
Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress ^ | September 1999 | Rex A. Hudson

Posted on 11/22/2004 2:26:13 AM PST by Snapple

The purpose of this study is to focus attention on the types of individuals and groups that are prone to terrorism (see Glossary) in an effort to help improve U.S. counterterrorist methods and policies.

The emergence of amorphous and largely unknown terrorist individuals and groups operating independently (freelancers) and the new recruitment patterns of some groups, such as recruiting suicide commandos, female and child terrorists, and scientists capable of developing weapons of mass destruction, provide a measure of urgency to increasing our understanding of the psychological and sociological dynamics of terrorist groups and individuals. The approach used in this study is twofold. First, the study examines the relevant literature and assesses the current knowledge of the subject. Second, the study seeks to develop psychological and sociological profiles of foreign terrorist individuals and selected groups to use as case studies in assessing trends, motivations, likely behavior, and actions that might deter such behavior, as well as reveal vulnerabilities that would aid in combating terrorist groups and individuals.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Philosophy; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: alqaeda; islam; muslim; psychology; terrorism; terrorist
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This is an excellent survey of expert opinion on what makes terrorists tick. The article is also on the Internet in PDF format. This is the same, however.

I do not agree that all these terrorists are operating independently. They do seem to get money from governments and may have people in the group who are agents of governments.

1 posted on 11/22/2004 2:26:13 AM PST by Snapple
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To: Snapple

Anything other than the "They're all poor and hate America because we're evil" deal is ok by me.


2 posted on 11/22/2004 2:27:57 AM PST by Darkwolf377 (If it is not fearful, it is not worthwhile. - Paul Tornier)
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To: Snapple
Take it for whatever it's worth- here's my primer on terror and terrorism:

-Islam, a Religion of Peace®? Some links...--

-Time to kick the tires & light the fires, folks- terrorism gathers across the World...--

-Jihad! Across the World....--

-All Terror, All the Time-- FR's links to NBC Warfare, Terror, and More...--

-IRAQ- some links to terror--

-The Web of Terror--

-Terror Tips--

-The Fire Down South...( Latin America--)--

Castro, the Carribean, and Terrorism

-Terror Strike! Madrid--

Nuclear, Biological, & Chemical Warfare- Survival Skills, Pt. II

-The Poor-Boy Nuke-- Bioterrorism***

-Jemaah Islamiah- Islamic Community, or Islamic Threat?--

-The Bali Horror- a partial Archive--

3 posted on 11/22/2004 2:40:52 AM PST by backhoe (Has that Clinton "legacy" made you feel safer yet?)
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To: backhoe

That's fine, but I'd like to discuss the issues raised in the article I posted.

The scholars cited are the most famous experts on terrorism in the world.

I think we need to address the psychological and social issues that create terrorists--not just respond after the fact.

I take exception to writers who see Islam as only capable of producing terrorists. I don't agree that Islam is necessarily a terrorist religion.

If it is, we might as well stop fighting so carefully and just obliterate all the Muslim countries. Of course, I am not suggesting this.


4 posted on 11/22/2004 2:55:21 AM PST by Snapple
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To: Snapple

http://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/terrorism.html

This is the link to the Frederal Research Division. You will see the article called "The Sociology and Psychology of Terrorism" listed as one of their articles.

It opens in PDF format. However, that is the official site, so I post it in case people want to see the real article.


5 posted on 11/22/2004 3:07:06 AM PST by Snapple
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To: Snapple

"I take exception to writers who see Islam as only capable of producing terrorists. I don't agree that Islam is necessarily a terrorist religion."

From what I have seen and read lately, it's death and destruction that Islam has been adding to this world lately. Frankly, I'm fed up with those who try to come up with excuses as to why Muslims kill and destroy at will. It's no longer just our job to analyze the motives of terrorists....the Muslims are going to have to step up and start cleaning up their own messes.


6 posted on 11/22/2004 3:10:53 AM PST by Arpege92 (Modern liberalism requires everyone to look different but think the same. - Lizavetta)
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To: Snapple

Really this study was done by the CIA according to the Federal Research Service:

The study "Sociology and Psychology of Terrorism," reported the findings of FRD's research of then-current literature written by experts on terrorism, inside and outside government, and was commissioned in June 1999 by the National Intelligence Council (http://www.cia.gov/nic/) and delivered in September 1999.

Source: http://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/terrorism.html (see bottom of the page)


7 posted on 11/22/2004 3:12:26 AM PST by Snapple
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To: Arpege92

Could we look at this article and see what it says?


8 posted on 11/22/2004 3:13:43 AM PST by Snapple
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To: Snapple

http://www.cia.gov/nic/

This link to the National Intelligence Council works.


9 posted on 11/22/2004 3:18:03 AM PST by Snapple
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To: Snapple
Any study done on the Soviet/Afgan (War or Jihad, depending) will show the universal unifier was Islam or narrowly defined as Wahabbist, Islamic fundamentalist, wackos, nut jobs, etc.
10 posted on 11/22/2004 3:18:46 AM PST by endthematrix ("Hey, it didn't hit a bone, Colonel. Do you think I can go back?" - U.S. Marine)
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To: Snapple

End Islamic rant. I guess I should of included that non-Muslim crazies can be terrorists too.


11 posted on 11/22/2004 3:20:54 AM PST by endthematrix ("Hey, it didn't hit a bone, Colonel. Do you think I can go back?" - U.S. Marine)
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To: endthematrix

The problem if you read the article, is that not all of them are so crazy or unsuccessful in their personal lives.

I would like the Muslims to clean up their own mess as you say, but don't want to wait.

http://www.cia.gov/nic/articles_after_al_qaeda.htm
An intereting article about what comes after Al Qaeda.


12 posted on 11/22/2004 3:26:22 AM PST by Snapple
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To: Snapple
To be real honest. the root causes are poverty and a rational outlet for venting the pressure of living in squalor or despotic regime. Usually the regime encourages to scapegoat the US for national economic and political failure. The masses get outraged and HATE the US. The international arms market facilitate tyrants needs to suppress the people and neighboring countries. When coups topple regimes fanatics take power. This is on a macro scale but trickles down to individuals when the regime can't crush the US as a national power, so "rouge states" supply them with arms.
13 posted on 11/22/2004 3:30:01 AM PST by endthematrix ("Hey, it didn't hit a bone, Colonel. Do you think I can go back?" - U.S. Marine)
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To: Snapple
All terrorists are egoists, they have to be motivated individuals to do what they do. I laugh every time I hear that a Muslim terrorist is described as an engineer. If they were engineers try developing a septic system in you countries! I think they are all engineers to build the "Arab bomb."
14 posted on 11/22/2004 3:36:24 AM PST by endthematrix ("Hey, it didn't hit a bone, Colonel. Do you think I can go back?" - U.S. Marine)
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To: endthematrix

How do you think a supressed, bored, testosterone loaded arab adolescent would respond to the offer of 72 virgins?

I wonder if this is a serious belief of many/most Muslums?


15 posted on 11/22/2004 3:43:20 AM PST by Halgr (Once a Marine, always a Marine - Semper Fi)
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To: Snapple

The horrible old men of Islam are most of the problem.

They want more than their share of young women, so they have to get rid of the young men by inciting them to murder and suicide-for-sex.


16 posted on 11/22/2004 3:52:20 AM PST by tkathy (There will be no world peace until all thuggocracies are gone from the earth.)
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To: endthematrix

The root cause is in no way poverty.

Islam societies are among the richest on earth. Islam is the cause of poverty, not the effect.


17 posted on 11/22/2004 3:54:28 AM PST by tkathy (There will be no world peace until all thuggocracies are gone from the earth.)
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To: Snapple

bump


18 posted on 11/22/2004 3:58:16 AM PST by Khurkris (That sound you hear coming from over the horizon...thats me laughing.)
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To: Snapple

BTTT


19 posted on 11/22/2004 3:58:50 AM PST by spodefly (I've posted nothing but BTTT over 1000 times!!!)
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To: backhoe

Bump.


20 posted on 11/22/2004 4:01:33 AM PST by First_Salute (May God save our democratic-republican government, from a government by judiciary.)
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