Why Muslims Join Terror Groups

Paper Summary:

The paper defines terrorism and examines the pathological theory behind it. The paper then discusses the spiritual or monetary rewards, the physical or mental abuse, the religious ideologies, the anger, aggression, social inadequacies and sexual identities that motivate young people to join terror groups.

Outline:
The "Pathological" Theory
Criminal Motivation
Homosexuality and Social Awkwardness
Revenge From or Frustration Over Oppression
Terrorists as Narcissists
Abusive Familial Relationships

From the Paper:

"First, it is helpful to define terrorism. Professor Clark McCauley, a professor psychology at Bryn Mawr College, defines the word terrorism as, "'[T]he use or threat of violence, by small groups against non-combatants of large groups, for avowed political goals' [...] Terrorism is the warfare of the weak, the recourse of those desperate for a cause that cannot win by conventional means" (McCauley, 2008). If terrorism is indeed the "war of the weak" then it serves reason that those who commit terrorism and weak and easily led, but it that really the case? Some psychologists believe terrorists are pathological or psychopathic, which leads them to these antisocial behaviors, but many modern psychologists dismiss this theory."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Borum, R. (2004). Psychology of terrorism. Retrieved 1 Aug. 2008 from the National Criminal Justice Research Service Web site: http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/nij/grants/208552.pdf.
• Ellens, J. H. (2002). 6 Psychological Legitimization of Violence by Religious Archetypes. In The psychology of terrorism: Theoretical understandings and perspectives, Stout, C. E. (Ed.) (Vol. 3, pp. 149-162). Westport, CT: Praeger.
• McCauley, C.R. (2008). The psychology of terrorism. Retrieved 1 Aug. 2008 from the Social Science Research Council Web site: http://www.ssrc.org/sept11/essays/mccauley.htm.
• Silke, A. (Ed.). (2003). Terrorists, victims, and society: Psychological perspectives on terrorism and Its consequences. Chichester, England: Wiley.

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