Courage in Dark Places: Reflections on Terrorist Psychology

Andrew Silke

doi:10.1353/sor.2004.0072

Courage in Dark Places: Reflections on Terrorist Psychology

Andrew Silke

Department of Law and Criminology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This article presents several arguments concerning the psychology of terrorists. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, controversy erupted when some commentators argued that the Al Qaeda hijackers displayed courage in their actions. The comments provoked fierce and overwhelming criticism. It examines the elements to judging whether an individual is displaying courage. It also presents statements given by several terrorists regarding their feelings before terrorism attacks. Moreover, it provides an analysis of why people become involved in terrorism.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	177-198
Number of pages	23
Journal	Social Research: An International Quarterly
Volume	71
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1353/sor.2004.0072
Publication status	Published - 2004

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Keywords

terrorism
terrorists
terrorist psychology
courage

Access to Document

10.1353/sor.2004.0072

https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/article/527316/summary

Cite this

@article{1def7892b8e3401faa52a4efb0a0b5ad,

title = "Courage in Dark Places: Reflections on Terrorist Psychology",

abstract = "This article presents several arguments concerning the psychology of terrorists. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, controversy erupted when some commentators argued that the Al Qaeda hijackers displayed courage in their actions. The comments provoked fierce and overwhelming criticism. It examines the elements to judging whether an individual is displaying courage. It also presents statements given by several terrorists regarding their feelings before terrorism attacks. Moreover, it provides an analysis of why people become involved in terrorism.",

keywords = "terrorism, terrorists, terrorist psychology, courage",

author = "Andrew Silke",

year = "2004",

doi = "10.1353/sor.2004.0072",

language = "English",

volume = "71",

pages = "177--198",

journal = "Social Research: An International Quarterly",

issn = "0037-783X",

publisher = "Johns Hopkins University Press",

number = "1",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Courage in Dark Places

T2 - Reflections on Terrorist Psychology

AU - Silke, Andrew

PY - 2004

Y1 - 2004

N2 - This article presents several arguments concerning the psychology of terrorists. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, controversy erupted when some commentators argued that the Al Qaeda hijackers displayed courage in their actions. The comments provoked fierce and overwhelming criticism. It examines the elements to judging whether an individual is displaying courage. It also presents statements given by several terrorists regarding their feelings before terrorism attacks. Moreover, it provides an analysis of why people become involved in terrorism.

AB - This article presents several arguments concerning the psychology of terrorists. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, controversy erupted when some commentators argued that the Al Qaeda hijackers displayed courage in their actions. The comments provoked fierce and overwhelming criticism. It examines the elements to judging whether an individual is displaying courage. It also presents statements given by several terrorists regarding their feelings before terrorism attacks. Moreover, it provides an analysis of why people become involved in terrorism.

KW - terrorism

KW - terrorists

KW - terrorist psychology

KW - courage

U2 - 10.1353/sor.2004.0072

DO - 10.1353/sor.2004.0072

M3 - Article

SN - 0037-783X

VL - 71

SP - 177

EP - 198

JO - Social Research: An International Quarterly

JF - Social Research: An International Quarterly

IS - 1

ER -