Combating Terrorism: Research Priorities in the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences
Abstract
The knowledge and tools of the social, behavioral and economic (SBE) sciences are immediately applicable to the construction of strategies that can enhance the Nation's capacity to predict, prevent, prepare for and recover from a terrorist attack. Our capacity to predict future terrorist attacks depends in part on our ability to identify and understand those factors that underlie the formation and maintenance of both domestic and international terrorist groups. Prediction capabilities are enhanced if we understand that terrorist networks and strategies are shaped by the behaviors of both the terrorists and their targeted adversaries, which differ across time, place, and access to resources. Our ability to prevent a domestic terrorist attack will depend, in part, on detecting who threatens us. Behavioral methodology in conjunction with sensor and surveillance technology is being used to anticipate and detect threats during the earliest pre-incident phases. The social and behavioral sciences are helping our law enforcement and intelligence agencies adapt to new roles and responsibilities, and advising policy-makers to ensure that we protect individuals and communities that are vulnerable to isolation and stigmatization. The social, behavioral and economic sciences are integral to the development of optimal short-term and long-term strategies to prepare for a terrorist attack. SBE models of threat, risk and vulnerability assessments are advising the creation and evaluation of effective response plans. SBE models of risk perception and communication are being used to appropriately modify emergency responder and public behaviors under conditions of attack, threat and uncertainty. Our capacity to recover from a terrorist attack is enhanced by taking advantage of SBE models of terrorist attacks and other large-scale disasters that incorporate measures of community strengths and weaknesses.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 10, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA449793
Entities
Organizations
- Executive Office of the President of the United States