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The Mind of the Terrorist

Author

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  • Jeff Victoroff

    (Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Southern California School of Medicine)

Abstract

This article reviews the state of the art of available theories and data regarding the psychology of terrorism. Data and theoretical material were gathered from the world’s unclassified literature. Multiple theories and some demographic data have been published, but very few controlled empirical studies have been conducted investigating the psychological bases of terrorism. The field is largely characterized by theoretical speculation based on subjective interpretation of anecdotal observations. Moreover, most studies and theories fail to take into account the great heterogeneity of terrorists. Many practical, conceptual, and psychological barriers have slowed progress in this important field. Nonetheless, even at this early stage of terrorism studies, preliminary reports suggest that modifiable social and psychological factors contribute to the genesis of the terrorist mind-set. Psychological scholarship could possibly mitigate the risk of catastrophic attack by initiating the long overdue scientific study of terrorist mentalities.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeff Victoroff, 2005. "The Mind of the Terrorist," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 49(1), pages 3-42, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jocore:v:49:y:2005:i:1:p:3-42
    DOI: 10.1177/0022002704272040
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Walter Enders & Todd Sandler, 2000. "Is Transnational Terrorism Becoming More Threatening?," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 44(3), pages 307-332, June.
    2. Alan B. Krueger & Jitka Maleckova, 2002. "Education, Poverty, Political Violence and Terrorism: Is There a Causal Connection?," NBER Working Papers 9074, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. repec:pri:rpdevs:krueger_maleckova_education_poverty_political.pdf is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Sandler, Todd & Lapan, Harvey E., 1988. "The Calculus of Dissent: An Analysis of Terrorists' Choice of Targets," Staff General Research Papers Archive 10818, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    5. repec:pri:rpdevs:krueger_maleckova_education_poverty_political is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Scott Atran, 2003. "Genesis of Suicide Terrorm (supporting online material)," Post-Print ijn_00000344, HAL.
    7. Geoff Brumfiel, 2003. "Research mired in Homeland Security delays," Nature, Nature, vol. 424(6952), pages 986-986, August.
    8. Enders, Walter & Sandler, Todd, 2000. "Is Transnational Terrorism Becoming More Threatening? A Time-Series Investigation," Staff General Research Papers Archive 1823, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    9. Sandler, Todd & Tschirhart, John T. & Cauley, Jon, 1983. "A Theoretical Analysis of Transnational Terrorism," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 77(1), pages 36-54, March.
    10. Lee, Dwight R, 1988. "Free Riding and Paid Riding in the Fight against Terrorism," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 78(2), pages 22-26, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Scott Helfstein, 2014. "Social capital and terrorism," Defence and Peace Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(4), pages 363-380, August.

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