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Key Questions and Practicals - Coggle Diagram

- - - - Social Psychology can explain terrorism through social identity theory. This theory would suggest that terrorists may believe that they are the in-group, and categorise themselves at the expense of the anti-terrorists (out-group). They may identify with the ingroup, taking on their norms, values and beliefs. For example religious beliefs may become extremely important to them. In-group favouritism may then lead them to discriminate against other groups, including through terror attacks, in order to maintain their self-esteem. Evidence for social identity theory comes from Tajfel’s minimal groups research, where boys discriminated against an outgroup and favoured their ingroup even though they did not know who was in their group.
      - A second explanation for terrorism from social psychology comes from realistic conflict theory. This theory suggests that prejudice arises when groups compete for scarce resources. For example conflict and acts of terror in the Gaza Strip could be explained by competition for the resource of land. Evidence for this theory comes from Sherif’s Robber’s Cave Study, where prejudice was caused by competing for scarce resources such as a pocket knife.
      - A third explanation for terrorism from social psychology comes from Agency Theory. This theory suggests that terrorists may be following a leader in a position of authority who may make them obey his/her commands to carry out atrocities. They may not feel any responsibility for their actions as they believe they are just carrying out someone else’s orders. For example a suicide bomber may not feel personally responsible for their actions. Evidence for this comes from Milgram’s research into obedience, where people followed orders to give electric shocks to other people.
      - However it is possible that individual personality factors rather than group membershiop may also explain terrorism. For example Adorno’s research suggests that certain people, for example those high in the personality trait of authoritarianism, are more likely to be prejudiced.