Terrorist Psychology and Its Impact on National and Global Security

Abstract

Terrorism is a policy based on the systematic use of terror. Despite the legal force of the term “terrorism,” its definition up to the present time remains ambiguous. But experts agree that the best definition of terrorism is the achievement of political, ideological, economic, and religious goals by violent means. Synonyms of the word “terror” (Latin terror – fear, horror) are the words “violence” and “intimidation.” This term became widespread in various countries after the “Age of Terror” during the Great French Revolution. During the discussion about terrorism, one of the main directions of this phenomena represents the terrorist psychology. Thus, in the chapter attention is paid to the psychological aspects of terrorism, including the determination of the main types of terrorism and psychological characteristics of the terrorists and terrorist groups.