What’s one group’s terrorist, is another group’s freedom fighter
This statement confirms that those with the belief they have had wrongdoing to them, can and in most cases, will retaliate. Radicalisation is a long and drawn out process which addresses the feelings of anger, alienation and the need to take action and is spread across groups which usually begin to engage in similar behaviour and therefore become part of a terrorist group. Is this their fault? Do they really feel the need to be violent? Or do they feel that this is their only way of dealing with how they have been treated as a group? Research in social psychology suggests that many leaders of these groups have particular recruitment techniques which can encourage the radicalisation of certain individuals, for instance, those who are vulnerable and have been approached at a critical point, which is seen to aid the radicalisation process (Fergusson & Binks, 2015).
Moreover, being part of a group can provide an individual with meaning and purpose, in the current situation, with the war spreading fast, many people suffering from the loss of all belongings and possible family members, it is likely that many others will join such groups. Some may feel that they have no other option but to join the group based on survival and eventually adopt the groups ideals and be given a sense of purpose, therefore becoming a fully fledged member. All considered, it highlights the complexity of terrorist groups and their members. Perceptions of terrorists should be explored in the western population as this would aid further understanding of the crisis and allow for individuals to avoid the scaremongering tactics delivered by the mass media.
