NCJ Number
203535
Journal
Crime & Justice International Volume: 19 Issue: 77 Dated: November/December 2003 Pages: 28-30
Date Published
November 2003
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article attempts to provide law enforcement with an understanding of the mindset behind those who commit or advocate acts of terrorism to create, thereby developing and using, a framework to organize behavioral information on extremist individuals and groups.
Abstract
Law enforcement and intelligence communities are increasingly directing their energies and resources to countering and preventing extreme acts of violence, such as terrorism. These communities work to acquire new knowledge and skills in the area of terrorism. In addition to learning about terrorism, the specific ideology of those who commit or advocate acts of terrorism, they need to gain an understanding of the process of how these ideas or doctrines develop and the factors that influence the behavior of extremist groups and individuals. This article briefly describes four observable stages that appear to frame a process of ideological development common to many individuals or groups of diverse ideological backgrounds which includes social and economic deprivation, inequality and resentment, blame or attribution, and generalizing/stereotyping or dehumanizing/demonizing the enemy. The article examines the principle involved in understanding an extremist or terrorist’s motive (referred to as “knowing one’s enemy”). Also, related to motive is the often presumed role of ideology as the sole cause for a particular violent act of extremism. It is extremely beneficial to professionals in the law enforcement and intelligence communities to gain an understanding of how extremist ideas develop. There is a need to understand behavior, not just ideology. There are other important dynamics and behavioral factors that may contribute as well.