Frustrating Aggression Hypothesis

 
One of the oldest and most widespread sociological theories

 

 

  
Belief that. . .

 

  
  • Frustration leads to aggression.
  • Terrorists come from groups that experience marginalization, poverty, unemployment, social alienation.  These people are thought to be at a higher risk of getting generally involved in acts of violence and by inference in terrorism.
  • People engage in terrorism as a result of feeling rage and helpless due to a lack of alternatives, especially regarding education and social mobility.

 

 

  
In recent times . . .

 

  
Many of today's terrorist do not follow this hypothesis.  Modern day terrorists tend to be well-educated, goal-directed, and not particularly underprivileged.  A great example of this is Bin Laden, who is definitely not an example of an economically disadvantaged person.

 

  
Back to the psychology of terrorism.  

 

 

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This is a site created for Biotechnology and Human Values (ISSI470), an academic course at Monmouth College.