Behavioral and Psychological Factors Associated with Disengaging From Terrorism

The Mind of a Terrorist Research Paper
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Terrorism is a complex phenomenon that has forced psychologists to amass detailed and concrete data to comprehend motivations and factors behind extremist activities by exploring several radicalization models. Determining the drive to terrorism is challenging because branded terrorists will never volunteer for practical experiments, and examining their behaviors from afar may connote erroneous assumptions. Given the complexity of terrorism, psychologists believe that terrorism is based on opinions and theories, not good science. This marks the attempt to understand the causes and drivers of extremism. This research paper seeks to compare and contrast rational choice and psychological theories, an analysis of psychological and behavioral acts linked to disengagement from terrorism. Finally, the final section will analyze why some programs effectively counter terrorism. Terrorists engage in violent behaviors not spontaneously but because of radicalization processes understood through behavioral and psychological radicalization theories.
Overview
Over the years, psychologists have examined the lure of terror based on different terrorist activities. Research links terrorism to ostracism or exclusion and ignoring of another individual, which contributes to negative experiences promoting terroristic inclinations (Pfundmair, 2018). Episodes of ostracism imply that the individual experiences reduced satisfaction with fundamental needs and feel threatened regarding their self-esteem, sense of belonging, meaningful existence, and control. In order to address ostracism behaviorally, experts should attempt to create social connections by demonstrating a heightened level of interest in factors that augment social bonds within communities (Pfundmair, 2018). Therefore, it calls for a critical investigation of behavioral changes in individuals due to terrorism. For example, understanding why a person chooses to become a terrorist will open the way for new ideologies, the process of entry, and involvement in criminality. The primary potential way is to understand the processes of joining myriad organizations (whether it was a personal decision or forcefully recruited).
Arguably, socioeconomic factors such as an individual's educational attainment and economic status influence their susceptibility to joining violent extremism or rather terrorism. Research indicates that terrorist behavior varies depending on their educational level, intelligence, finance, and relationship to their preferred organization (Subramanyam, 2018). In this vein, it is plausible to assert that individuals that come from marginalized backgrounds are more likely to engage in violent extremism and terrorist activities compared to those who come from economically empowered households. It is also well-established that a lack of financial resources or wealth is a prerequisite for poor educational attainment, poverty, and poor remuneration, which can be factors encouraging people to join extremist groups. Terrorists feel alienated from others and regard themselves as primary victims of injustice (Subramanyam, 2018). In this vein, their psychological construct pushes them to account for their voices and needs through unlawful practices. Therefore, in comprehending the mindset of a terrorist, motivation factors are the fundamental keys to understanding why they engage in extremist actions.
Radicalization Models
A critical appraisal of radicalization theories reveals that extremism and terrorism commence with political, psychological, and social grievances as the basis for affinity. These rationales are accounted for in the subsequent subsections.
Psychological Model
This model forms the basis of this report as it stresses the importance of social and individual tenets in radicalization. According to this model, terrorism is driven by alienation motives, personal grievances, and radical social patterns. Extremist beliefs and behaviors are shaped by socialization procedures and psychological vulnerabilities (Cohen, 2019). In this vein, notions of psychological openings such as socioeconomic, discrimination or political issues may shape behaviors of terrorism. In line with Cohen's findings, Ozer and Bertelsen (2019) added that individual experiences that lead to deprivation help predict radicalization. They proposed pathways that fuel deprivation, such as symbolic threats, social injustice, and collective threats in society (Ozer & Bertelsen, 2019).
Rationale Choice Model
The rational choice theory challenges the tenets of the psychological model as it argues that terrorists are actors who overlook the risks and emphasize the potential benefits that could be derived from getting immersed in violent activities. The model suggests that people evaluate the dangers and benefits of committing a criminal offense. Based on the available information, people will likely evaluate criminal opportunities by comparing the inherent risks of perpetrating the offense against the possible rewards accrued (Ray et al., 2020). In this case, a person is compelled to engage in violence, believing it is an efficient way of achieving their political, social, or religious objectives. The proponents of the rational choice theorist based their argument on the strategic nature of extremism. In differentiating emotional and evaluative beliefs, Ray and colleagues suggested that rational choice theorists make their choices based on perceived inferences and perceptions (Ray et al., 2020). Therefore, the model suggests that terrorists commit crimes because they perceive greater benefits from them. People who engage in crimes do not see accrued charges but more benefits. This process is referred to as hedonistic calculus. Rational choice is prevalent in adults...