Theorising Terrorist Behaviour: Key Perspectives

Source: RAND

Many criminological theories are applied to 'common criminals' (burglaries or youth offending). Social disorganisation theory can help identify key aspects of motivation behind terrorism. The theory (Shaw, 1969) focuses on the neighbourhood structure and how that can effect or influence a criminal's behaviour pattern, it offers an explanation for explaining why crime may look favourable to some. Smith (2012) demonstrates how social disorganisation theory can relate to political terrorists for example. Johnny Adair, a political terrorist, grew up in poor conditions as a child and in a neighbour hood where violence was common (2012: 11). Similar to 'common criminals' who have harsh upbringing and grown up in run down areas, Adair can be argued to have shared similar impacts on how he views crime and violence. In addition, at the time of his childhood, terrorist attacks from the IRA where common, which could have unknowingly caused him to then inflict terror on others. With this example, the theory help identifies the behavioural reasons for some terrorists and can also be applied to cyber terrorism because if one grew up in poor conditions and possibly violence, causing violence through cyber space may just be the 21st century way of causing terror.

Source: Department of Sociology

Strain theory is also applicable to politically based terrorism, the theory argues criminals may be driven towards crime based on the strain of social structures within society (Agnew, 2002: 44). It can be more widely used to explain political terrorists, terrorist organisations often highlight reasons for why what they are doing is the right thing to do. Also, it is often considered to be 'protecting their country or community" and/or "serving God", with that said, this can arguably be warping to young people in particular who feel they need to get involved. However, the previously mentioned publication also highlights Merton's (1938) theory that those who cannot achieve their targets may cave into the strain from society and resort to crime. For example, Adair opposed the IRA and the views of Catholics, but was unable to defeat them peacefully, resulting in one of the five outcomes Merton deems as inevitable - rebellion. Moreover, this theory does have an area for criticism, for example applying it to Islamic terrorists, such as those Britons who have fled the UK to join ISIS. Mohammed Fakhri Al-Khabass was reported to have joined the Islamic state early this year (Daily Mail, 2015), his father was a GP and he himself was also a British medic. Al-Khabass grew up in Middlesbrough, however was studying in Sudan where he was recruited. Strain theory does not necessarily help to explain why Al-Khabass may have joined a terrorist organisation after coming from a good family in a liberal country. However, having moved to a country where politics and religion differs, behaviourists believe that children are easily influenced (Cullen, 2010: 9). While Al-Khabass was 25 years old, in a foreign country away from family, it can be argued that he may have been in a more influential state and easily impressed by the Islamic State.

Both theories help to identify motivation behind terrorists as a whole, applying these to cyber terrorism can also generate similar assumptions. While rational choice theories may argue it is still a rational decision to join an organisation like ISIS, social structure they currently live in and their upbringing also influences those choices and opportunities. For example, if Al-Khabass went to a British university, would he have had the same opportunity to join the Islamic state?

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References:

Agnew, R. (2002). Strain, Personality Traits and Delinquency: Extending General Strain Theroy . Criminology. 40 (1), 44.

Cullen, P (2010). Encyclopaedia of Criminological Theory, Volume 1. UK: SAGE Publications. 9.

Daily Mail. (2015). 'I'm ashamed of my son': Fury of GP father of British medic who recruited young UK students to join ISIS in Syria Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3164912/Son-NHS-doctor-Middlesbro. Available: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3164912/Son-NHS-doctor-Middlesbrough-helped-recruit-18-fellow-medical-students-join-Isis.html. Last accessed 30 September 2015.

Merton, R. (1938) “Social Structure and Anomie,” American Sociological Review 3: 672-682.

Shaw, C. (1969). Juvenile Delinquency and Urban Areas. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Smith, J. (2012). THE CRIMINAL AND THE TERRORIST: A COMPARATIVE CRIMINOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF PATHWAYS INTO CRIME. Internet Journal of Criminology. 11-13.