Week 14 Mass shootings lecture 24

Question 1

acts of violence by non state actors, perpetrated against civilian populations, intended to cause fear, in order to obtain a political objective

Answer 1

terrorism

Question 2

• Motivation: terrorism is motivated by political or moralistic goals rather than personal gain
• Publicity: whereas most criminals hide their violent acts from others, terrorists seek media attention to alert the world to their cause
• Organization: terrorists groups operate in social networks united by a common political gaol a common enemy. terrorists groups are more dependent on a defined leader than other criminal groups
• Symbolic meaning: terrorists groups want to send a message to a wider audience than immediate targets
• Suicide attacks: terrorists acts are often carried out by those who are willing, or even desire, to sacrifice their own lives to kill others. suicide attacks are embedded in a culture of martyrdom that promises special rewards in the next life to those who are willing to sacrifice their lives in the service of the good cause in this life

Answer 2

Ways terrorism differs from other forms of criminal violence

Question 3

5 ways terrorism differs from other forms of criminal violence

Answer 3

1. motivation
2. publicity
3. organization
4. symbolic meaning
5. suicide attacks

Question 4

most people who support ____ ____ favor elected government, personal liberty, educational opportunity and economic choice

Answer 4

suicide terrorism

Question 5

1. they are poor
2. they are religious fanatics
3. they went to madrassas (islamic religious schools)
4. they are naive teenagers
5. they are not educated
6. they lack opportunity
7. they do it for the virgins in the next life
8. they have no responsibilities
9. they have a criminal background
10. they are mentally ill

Answer 5

10 myths about islamic terrorists

Question 6

who commits most US terrorist attacks in the US

Answer 6

right wing terrorists (most are white supremacism or anti government)

Question 7

remain the most persistent and lethal threat in the homeland

Answer 7

white supremacists

Question 8

• frustration aggression hypothesis
• social identity theory
• terror management theory

Answer 8

psychological processes underlying terrorism

Question 9

terrorist violence can be explained as the result of perceived injustice, combined with a sense of social and political deprivation

Answer 9

frustration aggression hypothesis

Question 10

groups based on even minimal categories produce in-group favoritism and out-group hostility
- willingness to die for the in-group is seen as the ultimate expression of loyalty

Answer 10

social identity theory

Question 11

• thoughts of death can be terrifying
• to avoid becoming paralyzed by this terror, people immerse themselves in cultural systems and worldviews that offer literal immortality or symbolic immortality

Answer 11

terror management theory

Question 12

promise of an afterlife

Answer 12

literal immortality

Question 13

even though I will die, my group will live on

Answer 13

symbolic immortality

Question 14

conceptualizes the process by which a small number of individuals from a large group of disaffected people become terrorists

Answer 14

staircase model of terrorism

Question 15

occupied by all members of society who evaluate their living conditions in terms of fairness and justice

Answer 15

ground floor or staircase model

Question 16

those dissatisfied with options for improving conditions go to the next floor

Answer 16

first floor of staircase model

Question 17

feelings of anger and frustration about not being able to improve conditions predominate, activating the search for an enemy

Answer 17

second floor of staircase model

Question 18

by the time individuals make it to the this floor they are ready to use violence to improve conditions, and terrorist organizations exploit this with a sense of moral engagement

Answer 18

third floor of staircase model

Question 19

categorical thinking in terms of us and them is promoted by isolating new recruits from their families and friends. there is no way to exit this level alive

Answer 19

fourth floor of staircase model

Question 20

involves carrying out the terrorist act. inhibitions against killing innocent people must be overcome

Answer 20

fifth floor of staircase model

Question 21

Jessica stern concluded that the primary motivation for terrorism is overwhelming feelings of

Answer 21

humiliation