The Making of a Martyr: Chechen Suicide Terrorism

Support for religio‐political aggression among teenaged boys in Gaza: Part I: psychological findings

“…Again, interviews with Chechen families suggest that a trauma attributed to the Russians (e.g. the death or incarceration of a relative) was a major motivating factor in most cases of suicide terrorism [Speckhard and Akhmedova, 2006] Regarding perceived injustice, multiple lines of evidence suggest that perceived injustice motivates anger and aggression: First, anger and aggression in response to perceived injustice seems to be a universal human trait [e.g. Batson et al, 2007;Frost et al, 2007;Leach, 2008;Mikula, 1993;Mikula et al, 1998;Pirha´cova´, 1997;Solomon, 1990].…”

Grievance, social dominance orientation, and authoritarianism in the choice and justification of terror versus protest

“…While there have been many studies that have tried to explain group choices of political violence, there is a substantially sparser empirical literature exploring individual choices of violence in this context. While no particular terrorist pathology has been identified, some researchers have identified grievance and traumatic experiences as key factors in the turn to terrorism (Horgan, 2005;Speckhard & Akhmedova, 2006;Victoroff, 2005). Gurr (1968) argues that people are motivated by relative deprivation, which is the feeling that results from social comparisons that keenly augment what they lack, relative to others, in terms of resources, privileges, or even aspects of a valued social identity (e.g., Tajfel & Turner, 1986).…”

Could Suicide Terrorists Actually Be Suicidal?

“…By demystifying these so-called martyrdom attacks and exposing the suicidal motivations of many who carry them out, the U.S. and its allies could strike a significant blow against terrorist organizations worldwide. Berko, 2007 No unidentified female injured in gas pipe explosion; struggled with recovery and self-imposed isolation, cried regularly and uncontrollably Berko and Erez, 2008 No unidentified female 1 brother killed, 3 other brothers arrested and imprisoned Berko and Erez, 2005 No unidentified female loved one killed Berko and Erez, 2008 No unidentified female loved one killed Berko and Erez, 2008 No unidentified female loved one killed Berko and Erez, 2008 No unidentified female loved one killed Berko and Erez, 2008 Yes unidentified attacker more than 1 family member killed Speckhard and Ahkmedova, 2006 Yes unidentified attacker more than 1 family member killed Speckhard and Ahkmedova, 2006 Yes unidentified attacker more than 1 family member killed Speckhard and Ahkmedova, 2006 Yes unidentified attacker more than 1 family member killed Speckhard and Ahkmedova, 2006 Yes unidentified attacker more than 1 family member killed Speckhard and Ahkmedova, 2006 Yes unidentified attacker more than 1 family member killed Speckhard and Ahkmedova, 2006 Yes unidentified attacker more than 1 family member killed Speckhard and Ahkmedova, 2006 Yes unidentified attacker more than 1 family member killed Speckhard and Ahkmedova, 2006 Yes unidentified attacker more than 1 family member killed Speckhard and Ahkmedova, 2006 Yes unidentified attacker more than 1 family member killed …”

“…unidentified 16 year old boy ashamed he had contracted HIV; apparently he feared the social stigma Pedahzur, 2005 Yes unidentified female asked forgiveness for "anything I have done to hurt you" and for the suffering she was causing her mother Speckhard and Ahkmedova, 2006 Yes unidentified male asked forgiveness for the pain he had caused his sister and mother Speckhard and Ahkmedova, 2006 Yes Depression, mental illness, or mental impairment with possible connection to neurotransmitter imbalance Qari Sami described by friend as depressed and brooding loner; he was taking antidepressants but had complained they weren't working Nelson, 2007 Yes Mir Aimal Kasi apparently missing tissue from frontal lobes of his brain CNN, 1997 No; expected to be shot and killed on site but wasn't; later executed unidentified male mental illness Fatah, 2007 No unidentified male mental illness Fatah, 2007 No unidentified male mental illness Fatah, 2007 No multiple unidentified attackers depression and other mental illnesses Nelson, 2007 Yes 362 A. Lankford…”