The psychology of religious extremism and terrorism becomes more popular as more often in the world there are different violent acts. Cases of manifestation of terrorism cause a high resonance in society as each person worries about own safety.
Psychology of extremism and terrorism
These two concepts are continuously connected with each other, so extremism can be considered a certain theoretical preparation, and here terrorism is directly actions. Terrorists represent a certain class of people who have certain similar lines:
- Existence of an inferiority complex. It causes aggression and desire to protect own "I".
- Self-justification. Planning the actions, future terrorist justifies with aspiration to personal identification.
- Emotional immaturity. Many terrorists are extremists or absolutists. Still they often superficially perceive reality.
Statistically most of terrorists is young people whose age about 20-25 years. They are brought up in patriarchal and religious family.
Psychology of the victims of terrorism
After terrorist attack the huge cargo falls on the victims, it is difficult to them to return to normal life without the assistance of the psychologist. Generally, there are several options of behavior in a similar situation:
- submission, depression and strong fear;
- demonstrative humility to deserve favor of the terrorist;
- demonstration of a negative and refusal to execute orders.
In psychology of terrorism it is specified that the victims can choose two types of behavior after terrorist attack. Situational phobias, for example, fear to approach a window or to draw attention of people around belong to the first group. Situational distortions when after release the hostages begin to justify actions of terrorists belong to other type.
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