IDL-103: Lecture ¹

Lecture 3. The Psychology of Terrorism

Dr. Martha Crenshaw

Internet Research Materials:

Questions for Seminar Discussion:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the state and terrorist groups in adopting “coercive diplomacy” towards each other? What makes a coercive diplomacy an effective approach for their interests?

Key terms:

"Moral disengagement" (Bandura)

Link between hunger strike, terrorism

Link between self-immolation, terrorism

Coercive diplomacy

"Gunboat diplomacy"

A "zero-sum" quality of the conflict

Pariah states

Embassy bombings in Kenya, Tanzania

U.S. missile strike against Iraq (1993)

U.S. missile strikes against Sudan and Afghanistan (1998)

Khobar Towers bombing (1996)

U.S. threats against Iran (1996)