Psychology of Female Suicide Bombers
Reader comment on item: The Psychology of Female Suicide Bombers Explored at IPT Forum

Submitted by Scott, Feb 22, 2013 01:13

Perhaps one area not thoroughly explored in this area is the culture of hate bred by war.

Hamas strike Israel; Israel in return level a city block either way the families of the dead suffer. I recall seeing an interview with a palestinian woman she was asked :

why did she want to become a suicide bomber?

she replied:

"the Israeli bomds destroyed my house killed my parents , my family and my children, I want those who did this to pay, I have lost everything there is nothing for me to live for, I want to kill those who did this."

Grief, loss, pain and suffering during times of calamity and war over the world have always been strong psychological motivators to "make someone pay" I am also very sure there are many Israelis who feel the same hurt and pain.

I think that there are many psychological precursers to make such a decision to become a suicide bomber, cultural alienation and cultural norms may be only part of a larger reason.

I firmly believe that the environment plays a strong part in the psychological stressors, understandings and perception that we as humans experience.

It must be acknowledged that given the military background of Dr Anat Berko in that she served as a Lt Col and has a Phd in Criminology that her background ,life experience training will provide pre-existing environmental precursers that have changed her Psychology and her perception. (I served.. I still remember the dead, these critical incidents changed my perception / psychology...It happens)

I am not in any way detracting from the reasearch and work that Dr Anat Berko has conducted in this field, however I think given the sensitive subject matter and the influence of environmental factors, predispositions, beliefs and bias that it should be taken into account whilst reading her work.

I believe that we should examine this question more thoroughly, I would be interested in the outcome of a study with these women, outside the prison, by a psychologist or psychiatrist with an clearer interest into the make up and the complexitities as to how such a decision has been formed.

"Israeli prisons are a place of refuge for muslim women" but its still PRISON. I believe the location (environment) taints the evidence and the explianations for their behaviours.

yes the recruiting will continue but as long as the "war" environment persists we will always have fresh fodder, filled with grief pain and loss to draw from


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    Aug 4, 2013 06:16

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    ⇒ Psychology of Female Suicide Bombers [414 words]

    Scott 

    Feb 22, 2013 01:13

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