© professor david alexander the challenges, realities and myths of terrorism professor david a...
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© Professor David Alexander
THE CHALLENGES, THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHSREALITIES AND MYTHS
OF TERRORISMOF TERRORISMProfessor David A AlexanderProfessor David A Alexander
MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsychMA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych
Director,Director, Aberdeen Centre for Trauma ResearchAberdeen Centre for Trauma Research
© Professor David Alexander
Bouncy castle boy awarded damages
© Professor David Alexander
© Professor David Alexander
© Professor David Alexander
© Professor David Alexander
“…kill one, frighten ten thousand”(Sun Tzu, Chinese Strategist)
© Professor David Alexander
Terrorists aim to… create
mass anxiety helpless, demoralisation social disruption
demonstrate impotence and
incompetence of the authorities
© Professor David Alexander
August 16, 2005
Documents, reportedly leaked from the investigation into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes, the Brazilian electrician shot dead by British Police on the London Underground on 22 July reveal that Mr de Menezes was not acting suspiciously and was already restrained when shot.Furthermore, the documents reveal that the original report given by the police and recorded on the coroners report contained many false statements. The reports suggest the police shot Jean Charles de Menezes because they mistakenly identified him as Hussain Osman, and had agreed to shoot him if he ran. Hussain Osman was suspected of having placed a faulty or mock explosive in a train.
Brazilian shot by police on London Underground was not acting suspiciously
London Underground
From Wikinews, the free news source you can write!
© Professor David Alexander
Other deaths (2001) 30,000 suicides
16,000 homicides
43,000 motor vehicles
15,000 “drink driving”
© Professor David Alexander
“Let no one be in any doubt; the rules of the game are changing.”
Mr Tony Blair, Press Conference, 5th August 2005
© Professor David Alexander
© Professor David Alexander
The “rule of law” means the protection from arbitrary action from the State and the general population.
The “rule by law” subjugates the “rule of law”.
Vaughan and Kilcommins, 2008
© Professor David Alexander
““IT WOULDN’T IT WOULDN’T HAPPEN HERE...”HAPPEN HERE...”
© Professor David Alexander
Aircraft cockpit intrusions not a new phenomena
“Air Rage: crisis in the skies”, AR Thomas, 2001
© Professor David Alexander
Excessive faith in technology
© Professor David Alexander
US Transportation Security Administration Screeners Missed
70% knives
60% simulated explosives
30% guns
NB: “Hit rate” 52%
© Professor David Alexander
Weaknesses...? poor training (regular)
poor psychological understanding
lack of resources
real threats not on database
lack of courtesy
© Professor David Alexander
Who am I...? son of kind, self made
philanthropist
shy, isolated
one of 54 children
polite, intelligent, conscientious
enjoyed desert camping
believed in modesty of women
?
© Professor David Alexander
Osama bin Laden son of kind, self made
philanthropist
shy, isolated
one of 54 children
polite, intelligent, conscientious
enjoyed desert camping
believed in modesty of women
© Professor David Alexander
No single profile, but...charismatic leader indoctrinationpowerlessdisaffected injusticehumiliation lack of self esteem
© Professor David Alexander
© Professor David Alexander
“animals”
“ghastly”
“scu
m”
“vile people”
“filth”“cowardly
”
“pigs”“a
ppalling”
“inh
uman
”
“evil”
“abhorren
t”
© Professor David Alexander
Suicide terrorism Mad, bad, sad, or glad?
© Professor David Alexander
A CBRN attack would benefit from…
an invisible “enemy”
uncertain effects
uncertain scientific knowledge
no fixed “low point”
physical inconveniences
© Professor David Alexander
Physical inconveniences
barrier environments
quarantine
restricted travel
mass immunisation
decontamination
© Professor David Alexander
MASS PSYCHOGENIC MASS PSYCHOGENIC ILLNESSILLNESS
© Professor David Alexander
Initial reactions to trauma 15% “rational” 75% stunned and numbed 10% “frozen” or panic
NB: Collective reactions may well be constructive
© Professor David Alexander
London bombings: 14 day follow-up
31% “substantial stress
32% intended to travel less
“substantial stress” linked to unable to contact family
thought could been have killed or wounded
being Muslim
1% wanted professional help
© Professor David Alexander
Dilemmas
forewarning or unnecessary anxiety
preparation or preoccupation
investment or monopoly
security or loss of civil liberties
© Professor David Alexander
Phases of Response to Major Trauma
Warning
Impact
“Honeymoon”
Leve
l of A
djus
tmen
t
Time Weeks Months
Previous Level of Adjustment
(Modified with permission of Raphael [1986] “When disaster strikes”)
Enhanced Community and Individual Adjustment
“Second Disaster”
Disillusionment
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