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Why is terrorism a man's business?
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy,Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich,Munich,Germany.
CNS Spectrums
|August 3, 2017
Summary
Young men
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Neurobiology
Background:
- Terrorism is predominantly a male phenomenon, with young males historically being key actors in criminal and political violence.
- Understanding the drivers of male youth violence is crucial for addressing terrorism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the multifaceted reasons behind young men's engagement in violence and terrorism.
- To examine neurobiological, gender role, demographic, group dynamic, and psychosocial factors.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and theoretical perspectives.
- Analysis of neurobiological, gender, demographic, group dynamics, and psychosocial factors.
- Comparative analysis of lone actor versus group-related terrorists.
Main Results:
- Sex differences in the brain may predispose males to aggression.
- Masculinity norms can link violence to male identity.
- Male youth bulges can be demographic risk factors for radicalization.
- Group dynamics and identity fusion are key in radicalization processes.
- Lone actor terrorists exhibit distinct psychosocial characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Threatened masculinity experiences may be a significant underlying factor driving terrorism.
- Terrorism results from a complex interplay of ideological, political, economic, regional, demographic, psychosocial, and masculinity-related factors.
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