Key question

• what is the key question?(2)

  What makes people commit acts of terrorism against fellow human beings?
• What is terrorism?(1)

  the use or threat of action to influence a government or intimidate the public for a political or religious cause.
• why is terrorism a significant issue? (3)


  • terrorism affects our public safety
  • terrorism affects our quality/ enjoyment of life
  • fighting terrorism is detrimental to the economy of the country.
• how does social identity explain terrorism?

  it suggests people often form in groups and out groups. Terrorists could see themselves as the in group due to religious beliefs and anyone not following those beliefs are the out group. By identifying with the in group they may adapt to different beliefs and discriminate the out group in order to maintain self esteem.
• How does RCT give an explanation for terrorism?

  suggests that prejudice arises when there is competition between 2 groups for scarce resources. Terrorists could be fighting over political/ideological dominance with the anti-terrorists and increase hostility.
• How does Agency theory give an explanation for terrorism?

  suggests there are 2 states of acting, autonomous (freely chose behaviour) and agentic (allow someone else to control behaviour). Terrorists will follow a leader who has higher authority and will give commands that they must follow, diverting the terrorist into an agentic state believing that responsibility lies with the leader.
• how can we reduce prejudice?

  RCT. having terrorists and non terrorists co-operate and work toward a superordinate goal like survival (example MAD, both sides want to live so will work against not causing any harm to each other)