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Configuring Legitmacy: A Framework fo Legitimation in Armed Conflict

Abstract:

Research on the psychology of terrorism has argued against the idea that most terrorist behavior is caused by mental illness or by a terrorist personality. This article suggests an alternative line of inquiry – an individual psychology of terrorism that explores how otherwise normal mental states and processes, built on characteristic attitudes, dispositions, inclinations, and intentions, might affect a person's propensity for involvement with violent extremist groups and actions. It uses the concepts of “mindset” – a relatively enduring set of attitudes, dispositions, and inclinations – and worldview as the basis of a psychological “climate,” within which various vulnerabilities and propensities shape ideas and behaviors in ways that can increase the person's risk or likelihood of involvement in violent extremism. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Publication Information

Full Citation:

Schoon, Eric and Alexandra Joosse, H. Brinton Milward Configuring Legitimacy: A Framework for Legitimation and in Armed conflict. Defense Threat Reduction (2013) http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bsl.2110/full (April 2, 2014).

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