HLS 6010 Week 3: Explaining Radical Group Behavior Terrorism and Identity Theory Perspective

Radical Group Behavior Terrorism and Identity Theory Perspective Student’s Name Institutional affiliation Radical Group Behavior Terrorism and Identity Theory Perspective Terrorism by radical groups is based on common beliefs that drive members to carry out collective actions. According to Tausch et al. (2011), the collective actions are driven through two pathways namely an emotional response where the action is motivated by anger in response to injustice, and an efficacy where there is a belief that problems are solved better collectively. Also, Tausch et al. (2011) assert that emotions and group effectiveness are likely to influence people if there is the likelihood of mistreatment, oppression, and the desire to change status quo. The identity theory tries to explain why people engage in both non-motive and motive actions. The Identity theory holds that the character of the radical groups is vital as it provides the reason for their cause and differentiates their agenda from other terrorist groups. Terrorism is carried out by both native and international terrorist groups. For instance, Al Qaeda is global while its affiliates such as Boko Aram of Nigeria are native within the Western Africa. According to Schwartz et al. (2009), groups’ identifications are based on a theoretical construct of cultural, social, and personal identity. Cultural identity is an absolute level of identification among terrorist groups. Today, terrorist groups recruit members based on cultural identity, especially religion. For instance, the international terrorist group Islamic State (ISIS) members must be Muslims that understand Koran to enable them to understand the group’s religious ideologies (Hassan, 2015). Also, Sharia teachings sell the ISIS agenda to the new members and appeal to noncombatant members. Schwartz et al. (2009) posited that social identity depicts the group one belongs, interacts, and how he/she ascribe to the social activities of the group. In social identity, people tend to favor the group they belong to and hate those opposing their beliefs (Social Identity Theory, n.d). In conclusion, understanding identity among radical groups through identity theory provides the insights to what propels such groups to greater heights of their atrocities. Identity bonds their values, goals, and ideologies irrespective of what outsiders perceive of them. References Hassan, H. (2015, January 25). The secret world...