Terrorist Minds: From Social-psychological Profiling To Assessing The Risk

Description

Terrorist Minds: From Social-Psychological Profiling to Assessing the Risk explores the process of terrorist behavioral analysis, from the social-psychological profiling of terrorists to the development of risk assessment tools. Most of the research for this book was conducted in cooperation with the Intelligence Department of the Israeli Prison Service via qualitative, in-depth interviews with leaders of terrorist organizations in Israeli prisons. Once social-psychological profiles were established, terrorist risk assessment tools were developed to allow for better observation and practical management of associated problems.This book fills the gaps in existing literature on the psychology of imprisoned terrorist group leaders through the analysis of individuals' social, professional and personal lives, as well as their attitudes and perceptions. The book also covers the practical aspects of risk assessment based on social-psychological profiling, and discusses relevant tools that have been developed in recent years. It aims to better inform counter-terrorism initiatives and policymaking, as well as improve methods of communication, counter-terrorism, and conflict resolution. Sagit Yehoshua is an applied criminologist specializing in the profiling and risk assessment of terrorism. She has completed her PhD thesis titled The social-psychology profile of terrorist leaders in Israeli prisons at King's College London University, in 2013. Her work involves years of researching and teaching the mind set and conduct of individuals and groups involved in terrorism and political violence . Sagit is a Research Fellow at Institute of Counter-Terrorism (ICT), Inter-Disciplinary Centre, Herzliya, Israel, and also joined ICSR-International Center for the Study of De-radicalisation, at King's College London, as an Atkin Fellow in 2009 . Contents Preface About the Author Acknowledgements List of Tables and Figure Introduction From Social-Psychological Profiling of Terrorist Leaders in Israeli Prisons to Assessing the Risks in Managing Them The Focus of the Book and Main Foundation Literature Review Definitions of Relevant Terms Fatah — Palestinian National Liberation Movement (in Arabic: Harakat al-Tahrir al-Watani al-Filastini) Hamas, Islamic Resistance Movement (In Arabic: Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamia) Palestinian Islamic Jihad — PIJ (In Arabic: Harakat Al-Jihad Al-Islami fi Filistin) Profiling Terrorists Profiling Terrorists Social-Psychological Profiling Social Influence Factors Socioeconomic status Adolescence Marital and family status Relations with the family Social environment relations to terrorism Perceptions related to the terrorist organisations Personality Profile What is personality? The ‘Big Five’ — The five-factor model of personality Personality typologies and profiles Criminal personality Terrorist personality Mindset Mindset/general perceptions Criminals’ neutralisation techniques Terrorists’ neutralisation techniques Leadership Profile The ‘Trait Theory’ of Leadership Charisma Transformational vs. transactional leadership Leadership in prisons Imprisonment Adaptation to imprisonment Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons Radicalisation or de-radicalisation in prisons Radicalisation in prisons De-radicalisation Programs in Prisons Examples of de-radicalisation initiatives Radicalisation or de-radicalisation in Israeli prisons Terrorist Risk Assessment Methodology Research Characteristics Research Participants Interviewees’ demographic details Research Procedures and Ethical Measures Ethical challenges related to prisoners’ interviews Chapter 1 Sociological Influence Factors Introduction Socioeconomic Status Adolescence Marital Status and Family Size Relations with the Family Social Environment Related to Terrorism Perceptions of the Terrorist Organisations Joining the organisation Perceptions of the organisations’ codes and conduct Shared perceptions among all interviewees Different perceptions among the organisations Communication with the organisation outside prison Conclusions Chapter 2 Personality Profile Introduction Manipulativeness Responsibility Behavioural Inhibitions The Capacity for Remorse Self-evaluation Fluency, Cooperation and Charm — The Author Input Other Social Aspects of Personality Conclusions Chapter 3 Mindset Introduction Techniques Used by the Majority of the Interviewees Defence of necessity Claim of entitlement Feeling like a saviour The condemnation of the condemners Denial of the law Denial or obliviousness of the victim Techniques Used by the Interviewees Revenge Response to disrespect Denial of responsibility Denial of injury Things happen Conclusions Chapter 4 Leadership Profile Introduction Leadership of Terrorist Organisations in Israeli Prisons The Interviewees’ Self-perception as Leaders Leadership as an inherent quality Struggles in becoming a leader Basic principles of leadership Organisation purposes versus the members in the organisation Leadership difficulties Decision-making processes Leadership within prison Leadership outside prison Charisma: Yes or No? Conclusion Chapter 5 Imprisonment Introduction Pains of Imprisonment? Planning for the future Support from the outside Support from fellow prisoners and organisations inside prison Education Radicalisation or De-radicalisation in Israeli Prisons Acquiring education Taking leadership roles — communication with the “others” Length of time spent in prison Conclusions Chapter 6 Analysis of the Social-Psychological Profile The General Social-Psychological Profile Chapter 7 Assessing the Risk Conclusion — From Profiling to Assessing the Risk Importance of the Social-Psychological Profiling and Practice Implications From the Social-Psychological Profile to Assessing the Risk Limitations Appendices Appendix 1 Ethical Approval Document — Bar-Ilan University Appendix 2 IPS Research Approval Appendix 3 Prisoner Consent Form Appendix 4 Email Confirmation for Registration as Signatory to the Code of Conduct for Serendipitous Research at KCL Appendix 5 Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance from 1948 Appendix 6 PCL-SV Item Description Item Descriptions Item 1: Superficial Item 2: Grandiose Item 3: Deceitful Item 4: Lacks Remorse Item 5: Lacks Empathy Item 6: Doesn’t Accept Responsibility Item 7: Impulsive Item 8: Poor Behavioural Controls Item 9: Lacks Goals Item 10: Irresponsible Item 11: Adolescent Antisocial Behaviour Item 12: Adult Antisocial Behaviour Appendix 7Table of Percentile Ranks for PCL-SV Total and Factor Scores