What is more important in determining terrorists' motives: the psychology of the individual or the sociological impact of the group?
In order to achieve an understanding as to what motivates terrorists, we need to go beyond a psychological approach. In addition to a psychological factor, religion, politics and social surrounding promote a motive as well. Combining these factors can alter the causes, objectives and beliefs of organized terrorist groups. Each terrorist group must be examined within its own cultural, economic, political, and social context in order to better understand the motivations of its individual members and leaders and their particular ideologies. Research has shown that terrorist individuals in large part are not mentally disturbed. Moreover, terrorist groups tend to logically and specifically target “normal people” for recruitment and actively exclude socially unacceptable prospects that might attract unwanted attention to the group.
I agree that both factors play a part in this discussion. The psychology of the individual can be very impactful especially in that terrorists are generally so irrationally committed to their purpose that they cannot be reasoned with, nor would they want to be. The sociological aspect of the group will impact each individual terrorist. This is a family they belong to, a union based on faith and political ideologies. It appears to me that peer pressure, fear of retribution, and history as passed down and presented to support a particular interpretation all operate as functions of groups within society. The motives of terrorists seem to be based in the human need to take action in response to situations that seem beyond control or outside the sphere of concerns that may be addressed through peaceful courses of action. What I would find interesting is the
