Cerebrum: Understanding the terrorist mind

25th Nov 2016

In Novembers online news article:

Understanding the Terrorist mind

While early research focused on the political roots of terrorism, many of today’s investigators are probing the psychological factors that drive adherents to commit their deadly deeds.

Are terrorists mentally ill or do they rationally weigh the costs and benefits of their actions and conclude that terrorism is profitable? Our author traces recent advances in using imaging and experimental research to determine what motivates monstrous acts.

The article, looks at where the violence comes from - what motivates people to join terror organisations and engagement in terrorism. Looking into specific factors of Social Factors, the impact of imaging, the brain on ideology, the brain on violence, the empathy factor, the dehumanisation factor and pondering the future.

To read the full article about understanding terrorists minds, please visit The Dana Foundation website