NCJ Number
46454
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1978) Pages: 1-9
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE DYNAMICS OF HUMAN AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE ARE EXAMINED AND RELATED TO TERRORISM AND HOSTAGE-TAKING. MOTIVES AND VALUES OF THE PERPETRATORS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT CONSIDERATIONS IN NEGOTIATION ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
VIOLENCE IS DEFINED AS THE INFLICTION OF BODILY HARM TO ACHIEVE AN END. AMERICA HAS AN EXTREMELY VIOLENT HISTORY, BEGINNING WITH ITS SETTLEMENT AND LASTING THROUGH TO STUDENT PROTESTS AND RACE RIOTS. FEELINGS TOWARD VIOLENCE ARE LARGELY AMBIVALENT; IT IS VIEWED AS EXCITING, INTERESTING, AND FRIGHTENING. TELEVISION PROGRAMS AND ORGANIZED SPORTS ARE OFTEN DESIGNED TO APPEAL TO MORE AGGRESSIVE AND VIOLENT TASTES. VIOLENCE IS BOTH GLORIFIED AND CONDEMNED DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION. A NUMBER OF THE THEORIES ATTEMPTING TO EXPLAIN THESE ASPECTS OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR HAVE BEEN PUT FORTH. PROPONENTS OF THE TABULA RASA THEORY HOLD THAT MAN LEARNS VIOLENCE AND LEARNS THROUGH VIOLENCE, WHILE A DARWINIAN MODEL CITES BIOLOGICAL INSTINCT FOR SURVIVAL. FREUD BELIEVED THAT AGGRESSION AROSE FROM THE DEATH INSTINCT (THANATOS), WHILE THE EXISTENTIALISTS SUGGEST THAT AGGRESSION ARISES FROM OVERPOWERING FRUSTRATION AND IMPOTENCE. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT AN ELECTRIC THEORY COMBINING THE ABOVE PERSPECTIVES MAY BE THE MOST VALID. INDICATORS OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S POTENTIAL FOR VIOLENCE INCLUDE A CHILDHOOD HISTORY OF ABUSE, CRUELTY TO ANIMALS, ARSON, FAMILIAL INCIDENCE OF MENTAL ILLNESS, ALIENATION, DEPRESSION, EPISODIC DYSCONTROL, POOR SELF-CONCEPT, ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE HISTORY, AND VARIOUS SOCIOCULTURAL FACTORS. TERRORISM REPRESENTS AN ATTEMPT TO CONTROL THROUGH FEAR AND INTIMIDATION. TO INFLICT THE ULTIMATE FEAR, PHYSICALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY, HUMAN LIVES MUST BE INVOLVED. TERRORIST ACTIVITY MAY BE SEEN AS THE MOST EXTREME FORM OF CHANGE-SEEKING BEHAVIOR. BY TAKING HOSTAGES THE TERRORIST ASSERTS HIS CONTROL OVER LIFE AND DEATH AND INCREASES HIS FEELINGS OF SELF-WORTH AND IMPORTANCE. HOSTAGE-TAKING APPEARS TO BE LARGELY UNPREVENTABLE. CONSEQUENTLY, IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL UNDERSTAND AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT THE PERPETRATORS AND HOW TO DEAL WITH THEM. A NUMBER OF TYPES OF TERRORISTS MAY BE IDENTIFIED. THE SOCIAL, POLITICAL, OR RELIGIOUS CRUSADER GENERALLY SEEKS TO FURTHER OR NURTURE HIS BELIEFS AND IDEALS THROUGH HIS ACT. THE CRIMINAL TERRORIST GENERALLY USES HOSTAGE-TAKING ONLY AS A LAST AND IRRATIONAL RESORT TO APPREHENSION BY THE POLICE. THE MENTALLY ILL HOSTAGE-TAKER GENERALLY ATTEMPTS TO ASSERT HIS CONTROL AND IMPORTANCE. IN GENERAL, THE CRUSADER TERRORISTS ARE THE HARDEST TO NEGOTIATE WITH WHILE THE CRIMINAL TERRORIST IS USUALLY THE EASIEST. IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT EACH TERRORIST IS A UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL, AND THE NEGOTIATOR MUST ATTEMPT TO UNDERSTAND THE HOSTAGE-TAKER'S NEEDS AND MOTIVES. THE TERRORIST IS USUALLY AN INDIVIDUAL WITH LITTLE PERSONAL POWER AND A POOR SELF-CONCEPT WHO FEELS USELESS, FRUSTRATED, OR PERSECUTED. HOW THE PERPETRATOR PERCEIVES HIMSELF CAN BE VERY IMPORTANT IN DECIDING ON THE BEST NEGOTIATING APPROACH. (JAP)