NCJ Number
134318
Date Published
1991
Length
237 pages
Annotation
The individual who becomes and remains a political terrorist generally appears to be psychologically molded by certain narcissistic personality disturbances.
Abstract
Political terrorism has afflicted the civilized world during the last quarter of the 20th century. Analysis of persons from various nationalities and socioeconomic status who became political terrorists reveals their cultural-political origins, traces their developmental patterns, and describes their emergent adult personalities. Theory and fact demonstrate the predisposing and precipitating factors that influenced these people to become political terrorists. Ultimately, narcissistic injury and disappointment led them to narcissistic rage, defense, and aggression. Psychological and psychopolitical factors configure to produce a syndrome of autocompensatory violence expressed in political terrorism. The self-selection of these men and women is their attempt to assuage the pain and damage inflicted on their vulnerable and depleted selves. These findings may be particularly useful in negotiating with political terrorists and predicting future attacks. 468 notes, bibliography, and index