Terrorism: An Identity Theory Perspective

Authors: Schwartz, Seth¹; Dunkel, Curtis²; Waterman, Alan³

Source: Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, Volume 32, Number 6, June 2009 , pp. 537-559(23)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

The present article outlines the role of personal, social, and cultural identity in religiously and ethnically motivated terrorism. It is proposed that terrorism represents the confluence of a cultural identity strongly based in collectivism and in fundamentalist adherence to religious or cultural principles, a social identity based in sharp contrasts between one's own group and groups perceived as threats, and a foreclosed and authoritarian sense of personal identity or, less often, a diffused and aimless personal identity. Examples from religious-extremist and ethnic conflicts in which terrorism has been employed are used to illustrate the tenets advanced here. Recommendations for addressing and preventing the threat of terrorism are discussed.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10576100902888453

Affiliations: 1: Center for Family Studies, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA 2: Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL, USA 3: Department of Psychology, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ, USA

Publication date: 2009-06-01

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