Ethno-Psychological Characteristics and Terror-Producing Countries: Linking Uncertainty Avoidance to Terrorist Acts in the 1970s

Authors: Wiedenhaefer, Robert M.¹; Dastoor, Barbara Riederer²; Balloun, Joseph³; Sosa-Fey, Josephine⁴

Source: Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, Volume 30, Number 9, September 2007 , pp. 801-823(23)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

Most of the world's terrorism occurs in but a few of the world's countries. This study examines why. The extent to which Hofstede's cultural values relate to terrorism in the 1970s in 51 countries is analyzed. Uncertainty avoidance emerges as the single cultural value that is related to terrorism. Uncertainty avoidance, related to stress, may provide important prerequisites for group-induced aberrant behavior when formerly alienated group members find comfort in adhering to a collective belief system where dissent is discouraged, a sense of group purpose is reinforced, and rules are strictly imposed - apparently confirming the writings of terrorism psychologists.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10576100701514532

Affiliations: 1: Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, USA 2: Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA 3: Argosy University Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA 4: San Antonio System Center, Texas A&M University - Kingsville, San Antonio, Texas, USA

Publication date: 2007-09-01

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