Aspects comportementaux du terrorisme : BrainWashing et radicalisation

Behavioral and social sciences are useful in collecting and analyzing intelligence data, understanding terrorism, and developing strategies to combat terrorism. This work aims to examine the psychopathological concepts of terrorism and discusses the developing roles for behavioral scientists. A systematic review was conducted of studies investigating behavioral aspects of terrorism. These studies were identified by a systematic search of databases, textbooks, and a supplementary manual search of references. This work is also based on the experience of the author in interviewing terrorist suspects. Several fundamental concepts were identified that continue to influence the motives and the majority of the behaviours of those who support or engage in this kind of specific violence. Regardless of the psychological aspects and new roles for psychiatrists, the behavioral sciences will continue to be called upon to assist in developing better methods to gather and analyze intelligence, to understand terrorism, and perhaps to stem the radicalization process.     

Les fonctions psychopathologiques de la conversion idéologique ou religieuse et leur rapport avec le terrorisme

Objectifs

This paper aims to examine what the psychological motivations for converting to an orthodox religion and/or violent ideology could be. We do not assimilate every religious conversion as a criterion of dangerosity, but we will focus on the religious “varnish” applied on some discourse as a means to a violent ideology and use of violence.

Processus de radicalisation en milieu carcéral : de la criminogenèse à la radicalogenèse

ObjectivesTo demonstrate the process of radicalisation within the prison environment, via the notion of radicalogenesis, by analogy with the concept of criminogenesis While the latter focuses on the pre-criminal situation and studies what prompts a subject to engage in criminal activity, for the genesis of radicalisation we concentrate on the post-criminal situation of individuals, in order to untangle the stages that can bring a prisoner to become radicalised.MethodAn analysis of the literature on the process of radicalisation, and on the genesis of criminality; this is backed up by the methodology of clinical follow-up in the context of the psychological/psychotherapeutic work undertaken with detainees over a period of six years in French prisons.ResultsThe results from the follow-up of detainees caught up in a process of radicalisation, and from the review of the literature show that the prison environment can facilitate radicalisation through a process whereby the identity of an individual becomes more vulnerable following a criminal act that leads to incarceration – an act that is sometimes traumatic for the perpetrator.DiscussionHaving summarised, in table form, the different theories of radicalisation, and discussed their points of similarity/difference, we describe four phases in the genesis of radicalisation: vulnerable identity, dis-identification, conversion and re-identification, radicalisation. We want to emphasise that this process is strictly individual and depends on the subjective structure of the person becoming radicalised.ConclusionsWe reiterate the importance of psychological/psychotherapeutic support in prisons, particularly for the more vulnerable individuals, and those made more vulnerable still by their acting-out. Without this support, the individual risks becoming radicalised in order to find a new pole of identification, as a means of survival.     

Terrorisme islamiste : la radicalisation mystifiante

With the multiplication of Islamist terrorist attacks and attempted attacks on French and international soil, the issue of the psychological radicalization of the perpetrators who acted out, and of those might wish to imitate them, has come to the fore, notably regarding prevention. Better comprehension of the mental dynamic of these known or potential aggressors contributes to reducing the terrorist threat, as well as the consequences of terrorism. In this interview, the psychologist Éric Bauza delivers his analysis of this radicalization that he considers to be deceptive. This radicalization using deceptive means works through an imposed manner of perceiving, hearing, feeling, thinking, communicating and finally acting that fills an unrepresented void. It then becomes destructive- both deadly and suicidal- with the deceased becoming an ideological all-powerful figure.     

La passion de Torquemada et le terrorisme islamique : quelques points de comparaison

This original research compares the doctrinal, psychopathological and operational standpoints of the 15th century Spanish Inquisition (Torquemada) with those of radical Islamism from 1988 to 2005 (Al-Qaeda). The following are reviewed: (a) the main texts codifying the procedure for conducting the criminal investigation of a Holy Office trial (Directorium inquisitorum); (b) the life and work of the grand inquisitor Tomás de Torquemada (1420–1498); (c) the psychopathological relations between passion (passionate psychoses, passionate idealism, paranoid personality) and fanaticism; (d) “the madmen, the enlightened and the criminals” of Islamic terrorism; (e) the cognitive and emotional motives for engagement in the jihadist radicalization of young people; (f) the common principles of monotheistic fanaticism (Inquisition, Al-Qaeda) and the particular dogmas of Islamic terrorism in our time; (g) the operating modes of the Inquisition and the Jihadist holy war. The author concludes that the rigour and seriousness of the inquisitorial judicial procedure, which was precise, individual and personalized, contrasts with the revolutionary pamphlets of Al-Qaeda, which only provide broad guidelines for the modus operandi of the fight against infidels, who are usually random victims.     

La radicalisation,un nouveau symptôme adolescent ?

Background

For over two years, in Strasbourg (France) the teams of the University Department for Children and Adolescent Psychiatry and from the “Maison des adolescents” have been facing the issue of radicalization in their daily work. The aim of this paper is to specify the psychological vulnerabilities and the psychopathological mechanisms underlying indoctrination processes in today's teenagers.