Citation

Borum R. Behav. Sci. Law 2014; 32(3): 286-305.

Affiliation

School of Information, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, CIS 1040, Tampa, FL, 33620-7800, U.S.A.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/bsl.2110

PMID

24652686

Abstract

Research on the psychology of terrorism has argued against the idea that most terrorist behavior is caused by mental illness or by a terrorist personality. This article suggests an alternative line of inquiry - an individual psychology of terrorism that explores how otherwise normal mental states and processes, built on characteristic attitudes, dispositions, inclinations, and intentions, might affect a person's propensity for involvement with violent extremist groups and actions. It uses the concepts of "mindset" - a relatively enduring set of attitudes, dispositions, and inclinations - and worldview as the basis of a psychological "climate," within which various vulnerabilities and propensities shape ideas and behaviors in ways that can increase the person's risk or likelihood of involvement in violent extremism. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Language: en