© 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 MYTHS REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych Director, Director, Aberdeen Centre for Trauma Research Aberdeen Centre for Trauma Research

Transcript of © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A...

Page 1: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© 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

Page 2: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

Bouncy castle boy awarded damages

Page 3: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

Page 4: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

Page 5: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

Page 6: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

“…kill one, frighten ten thousand”(Sun Tzu, Chinese Strategist)

Page 7: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

Terrorists aim to… create

mass anxiety helpless, demoralisation social disruption

demonstrate impotence and

incompetence of the authorities

Page 8: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© 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!

Page 9: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

Other deaths (2001) 30,000 suicides

16,000 homicides

43,000 motor vehicles

15,000 “drink driving”

Page 10: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© 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

Page 11: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

Page 12: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© 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

Page 13: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

““IT WOULDN’T IT WOULDN’T HAPPEN HERE...”HAPPEN HERE...”

Page 14: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

Aircraft cockpit intrusions not a new phenomena

“Air Rage: crisis in the skies”, AR Thomas, 2001

Page 15: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

Excessive faith in technology

Page 16: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

US Transportation Security Administration Screeners Missed

70% knives

60% simulated explosives

30% guns

NB: “Hit rate” 52%

Page 17: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

Weaknesses...? poor training (regular)

poor psychological understanding

lack of resources

real threats not on database

lack of courtesy

Page 18: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© 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

?

Page 19: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© 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

Page 20: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

No single profile, but...charismatic leader indoctrinationpowerlessdisaffected injusticehumiliation lack of self esteem

Page 21: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

Page 22: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

“animals”

“ghastly”

“scu

m”

“vile people”

“filth”“cowardly

“pigs”“a

ppalling”

“inh

uman

“evil”

“abhorren

t”

Page 23: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

Suicide terrorism Mad, bad, sad, or glad?

Page 24: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

A CBRN attack would benefit from…

an invisible “enemy”

uncertain effects

uncertain scientific knowledge

no fixed “low point”

physical inconveniences

Page 25: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

Physical inconveniences

barrier environments

quarantine

restricted travel

mass immunisation

decontamination

Page 26: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

MASS PSYCHOGENIC MASS PSYCHOGENIC ILLNESSILLNESS

Page 27: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

Initial reactions to trauma 15% “rational” 75% stunned and numbed 10% “frozen” or panic

NB: Collective reactions may well be constructive

Page 28: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© 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

Page 29: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© Professor David Alexander

Dilemmas

forewarning or unnecessary anxiety

preparation or preoccupation

investment or monopoly

security or loss of civil liberties

Page 30: © Professor David Alexander THE CHALLENGES, REALITIES AND MYTHS OF TERRORISM Professor David A Alexander MA(Hons), C.Psychol, PhD, FBPS, FRSM, (Hon) FRCPsych.

© 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