HSM 435

DQ 2

Suicide Attacks

Psychological symptoms from suicide terrorist attacks

DQ 2

Suicide Attacks

Identify two psychological symptoms victims and first responders sustain from suicide terrorist attacks. Explain why you think suicide attacks are or are not an effective means of terrorism.

In the psychological study of terrorist motivations, it is arguable that the focus of the so-called 'first generation' of researchers on psychological or socio-demographic profiles has led to the persistence of assumptions that are at very best contested, and, at worst, disproved. The 'typical' suicide bomber was characterised as young male with an impoverished background, who was likely to be from a family with extremist connections. Yet, in spite of the temptation to identify sets of...