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The staircase to terrorism: a psychological exploration
1Department of Psychology, White Gravenor Building, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA. moghaddf@georgetown.edu
The American Psychologist
|March 3, 2005
Summary
Terrorism recruitment involves individuals feeling voiceless and displaced aggression, leading them to view terrorist groups as legitimate. Prevention through contextualized democracy is key to long-term counter-terrorism efforts.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Political Science
Background:
- Terrorism is a complex phenomenon with deep psychological roots.
- Understanding the pathway to radicalization is crucial for effective counter-terrorism strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conceptualize the psychological progression toward terrorism.
- To identify key factors influencing recruitment into terrorist organizations.
- To propose a long-term prevention strategy against terrorism.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of the psychological processes leading to terrorism.
- Theorizing the 'narrowing staircase' model of radicalization.
- Analysis of societal and individual factors contributing to recruitment.
Main Results:
- Individuals are recruited into terrorism through a process of perceived voicelessness, displaced aggression, and group socialization.
- Focusing solely on active terrorists yields short-term results.
- Prevention strategies targeting the 'ground floor' of radicalization are more effective long-term.
Conclusions:
- Nourishing contextualized democracy can prevent individuals from ascending the 'staircase' to terrorism.
- Early intervention and addressing root causes are essential for sustainable counter-terrorism.
- The 'narrowing staircase' model provides a framework for understanding and preventing radicalization.
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