Terrorism: Jerrold Post and Behavioral Patterns of Terrorists

Jerrold Post gave his justification of the key point for conversion in terrorism is not religion but terrorist organization. What was his research and why is it important?

Jerrold Post’s research focused primarily on the way terrorists justify their behavior by measuring the effect of retaliation on group cohesion. Post is certain that there is no single terrorist personality, but that terrorists follow similar behavioral patterns. In his studies he was able to discern the types of individuals that are most likely to join terrorist organizations. His research is very important based on the aforementioned information and the fact that like minded individuals are more likely to exhibit violence. Reinforcement by social misfits with the same agenda and the “Us-Against-Them” attitude is more important than retaliation and strengthens the group as a whole (White, 2006).

Reference

White, J.R. (2006). Terrorism and Homeland Security. (5^th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson-Wadsworth.