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🎯 Main Points

Counter Terrorism Psychology 🔴🛡️

PSY513 - Forensic Psychology

🔑 Key Definitions

Terrorism 💣: Use of violence or threat of violence to create fear for political, ideological, or religious purposes - targets civilians to influence governments
Radicalization 🧠🔥: Process by which individuals adopt extreme views and come to support or engage in terrorism
Disengagement 🚪: Leaving terrorist activities (BEHAVIORAL change)
Deradicalization 🧠🔧: Changing beliefs and ideologies (COGNITIVE change)

💣 4 Types of Terrorism

  • Religious - Religious ideology (jihadist, radical Christian)
  • Political - Far-right, far-left, separatist
  • Single-issue - Environmental, anti-abortion
  • Lone-wolf - Individual without formal group

❓ Terrorist Profile? NO!

  • NO single profile exists!
  • Diverse backgrounds
  • Mental illness NOT more common
  • Most are NOT psychopaths
  • Context > personality

🪤 Moghaddam's Staircase Model (6 Levels)

  • Ground floor - Perceived deprivation
  • 1st floor - No options for grievances
  • 2nd floor - Displacement of aggression
  • 3rd floor - Moral engagement with ideology
  • 4th floor - Categorical thinking (us vs them)
  • 5th floor - The terrorist act

🛡️ 4 Counter-Terrorism Approaches

  • Prevent - Early intervention, community engagement, education
  • Protect - Physical security, border, infrastructure
  • Pursuit - Intelligence, law enforcement
  • Preparedness - Emergency response, crisis management

🧠 Forensic Psychologist Roles in CT

  • Risk assessment (VERA-2, ERG 22+)
  • Threat assessment
  • Interview/interrogation
  • Victim support
  • Policy advice

🔄 Push vs Pull Factors for Exit

  • Push (leaving) - Disillusionment, conflicts, burnout, negative experiences
  • Pull (toward normal life) - Family, relationships, education, employment

💡 Exam Tips

  • NO terrorist profile exists - this is key!
  • Moghaddam's Staircase = 6 levels (ground through 5th floor)
  • Disengagement = behavioral; Deradicalization = cognitive
  • 4 Counter-terrorism approaches: Prevent, Protect, Pursuit, Preparedness
  • Risk tools: VERA-2, ERG 22+
  • Online radicalization: echo chambers, propaganda, recruitment