Psychologic Aspects of Terrorism.

Abstract

Increasing incidences of terrorist exploitation of sensitive political interfaces are occurring. Military and paramilitary commanders are likely to become involved in the resolution of incidents precipitated by such organizations. Personnel known to staff such organizations are examined in terms of background, educational and social factors. Special attention to the behavioral background reveals stunted development of parental identification and a lack of fulfillment of basic personality needs. Counterforce commanders should be aware that observed behavior such as championing an oppressed minority masks internal emotional dissonance and is an outlet for subconscious rage. Death threats and authoritarian tactics will tend to re-enforce the underlying process. Opportunities to ventilate and negotiations with (real or illusory) escape scenarios will provide optimal interventions to preserve hostages and to amass overwhelming counterforce.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 26, 1983
Accession Number
ADA131656

Entities

People

  • John R. Galvin

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Classification
  • Explosives
  • Hostages
  • Identification
  • International Law
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Organizations
  • Pennsylvania
  • Periodicals
  • Security
  • Students
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • Training
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Organizational Psychology.
  • Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.