TEXT:
Reading
1. Moral Psychology of Terrorism (2013)
2. Horgan, J. G. (2017). Psychology of terrorism: Introduction to the special issue. American Psychologist, 72(3), 199-204. doi:10.1037/amp0000148
Forum Assignment for the Week: 300 Words minimum
We take a look at suicide bombers this week in our reading and discussion. As we ponder the motivations one might have for engaging in such fatal acts of terrorism, consider the following comments from Ivan Strenski's (2003) article, Sacrifice, Gift and the Social Logic of Muslim Human Bomber.
"....it would seem to make more sense if, instead of killing themselves in the process of making their attacks, the 'human bombers' could have gone on killing many more...in subsequent non-suicidal attacks" (Strenski, 2003, p. 3).
Keep in mind, the following references made to Osama bin Laden were prior to his death; however, the points highlighted within the article are powerful considerations in the discussion of the topic. "Osama bin Laden surely continues to inspire more terror today as potentially alive than he would have had he died in a martyrdom..." (Strenski, 2003, p. 3).
On the other hand, among supporters of suicide terrorists, the acts carried out by the ‘human bomber' is seen as "self-sacrificing". Strenski (2003) suggests a relationship between the concepts of sacrificing one's self and suicide.
Considering the course materials for the week, think about the motivations suggested in the readings explaining why terrorist actors engage in suicide terrorism.
o Discuss the psychological effects the ‘human bomber' has as a vessel in carrying out acts of terrorism.
o Provide details of your view on the goals of suicide terrorists; whether the primary goal is to inflict maximum causalities (physical or psychological) or if it is to engender a sense of martyrdom in the name of religious zeal, sacrificing themselves for the cause.
Reference
Strenski, I. (2003). Sacrifice, gift and the social logic of Muslim "human bombers." Terrorism and Political Violence, 15, 1-34.