Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
06:42
Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses
Published on: September 28, 2018
Rethinking suicide bombing.
1Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. neil.k.aggarwal@gmail.com
Crisis
|June 16, 2009
Summary
Psychiatric research on suicide bombing often overlooks cultural context. Incorporating anthropological perspectives can lead to more effective, culturally sensitive models for understanding and preventing such acts.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Anthropology
- Social Sciences
Background:
- Emerging psychiatric literature on suicide bombing focuses on bomber pathology.
- The role of psychiatry in analyzing suicide bombing is questioned.
- Current approaches may lack comprehensive explanatory power.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore broader social science research for improved behavioral models.
- To develop more accurate methods for explaining and preventing suicide attacks.
- To integrate anthropological insights into psychiatric analysis of suicide bombing.
Main Methods:
- Review of psychiatric literature on suicide bombing.
- Comparison with anthropological literature on related topics.
- Analysis of research methodologies and definitions.
Main Results:
- Psychiatric literature often adopts a universalizing perspective.
- Definitions of 'war' and 'terrorism' vary.
- Beliefs regarding life, death, homicide, and suicide are diverse.
Conclusions:
- Anthropological approaches reveal taken-for-granted standpoints.
- Interventions must consider culturally determined values.
- A culturally sensitive framework is essential for addressing suicide bombing.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBTs) are grounded in the belief that our thoughts profoundly influence our emotions and actions. Advocates of CBT emphasize three core assumptions: first, that cognitions are identifiable and measurable; second, that they are central to psychological functioning; and third, that irrational or maladaptive beliefs can be replaced with rational and adaptive ones. This transformative approach to therapy has paved the way for specific models such as Albert Ellis's...
01:30Psychosurgery
Psychosurgery, the surgical alteration or permanent removal of brain tissue to alleviate severe psychological conditions, stands as one of the most radical and controversial treatments in the history of mental health care. Its development and application have evolved significantly, marked by dramatic shifts in scientific understanding and ethical perspectives.
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
01:19Counterfactual Thinking
Counterfactual thinking is a cognitive process wherein individuals mentally reconstruct alternative versions of past events, often beginning with “what if” or “if only.” This reflective mechanism plays a significant role in shaping emotional experiences and guiding future behavior. Though typically triggered by unfavorable or unexpected outcomes, counterfactual thinking can also emerge in mundane, everyday decisions and experiences, revealing its deep entrenchment in human cognition.Types of...
02:09Bystander Effect
The discussion of bullying highlights the problem of witnesses not intervening to help a victim. This is a common occurrence, as the following well-publicized event demonstrates. In 1964, in Queens, New York, a 19-year-old woman named Kitty Genovese was attacked by a person with a knife near the back entrance to her apartment building and again in the hallway inside her apartment building. When the attack occurred, she screamed for help numerous times and eventually died from her stab wounds.
01:38Cognitive Dissonance
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
02:40The Scientific Method
Research is what makes the difference between facts and opinions. Facts are observable realities, and opinions are personal judgments, conclusions, or attitudes that may or may not be accurate. In the scientific community, facts can be established only using evidence collected through empirical research.