Psychological Aspects of Terrorism

This work illustrates the social and psychological factors underlying the ideological sympathy for terrorism, in order to create an intense exchange of views between hypotheses coming from the field of anthropology, sociology, social psychology and cognitive psychology. The authors attempt to identify social, cultural and psychological factors of ideological opposition against western societies, opposition which could increase moral support to and even inclination towards terrorism. The most influential identified factors are perceived injustice, need for identity, need for belonging, cultural clash, and difficult integration. A specific population at risk is the particular social and psychological condition of the children of immigrants.