While terrorism continues to make headlines around the world, some researchers have suggested that terrorists are mentally ill and have used labels such as psychopathic or sociopathic, narcissistic, paranoid and schizophrenic. Others have argued that there is no evidence to indicate that they are mentally ill, disordered, psychopathic or otherwise psychologically abnormal. The Royal's Dr. AG Ahmed, Dr. Wadgy Loza and Dr. Pius Adesanmi discuss research findings and reflect on the new meanings and manifestations of terrorism and extremism in Canada and around the world.

1. ROH – 2015-03-25ROH – 2015-03-25 11
Terrorism, Extremism:
Mad, Bad or Both?
Dr.Dr. Wagdy Loza, C. Psych.Wagdy Loza, C. Psych.

2. ORH – 2015-03-25ORH – 2015-03-25 22
What do Terrorists hope to achieve?
To establish a “true” Muslim state (Caliphate;
“Umma”“Umma” ‫ألمة‬‫,)ألمة‬ impose pure Islamic societies &
govern by Sharia law – declared goals of ISIS/ISIL/IS.

3. Psychological Characteristics of
Middle-Eastern Terrorists
BeliefsBeliefs
ThinkingThinking
AttitudesAttitudes
BehaviourBehaviour
FeelingsFeelings
33

4. Beliefs in extremists’ ideologies
• There must be a revival of religion throughThere must be a revival of religion through
Jihad (HollyWar)Jihad (HollyWar)‫عين‬ ‫فرض‬‫عين‬ ‫فرض‬
• Duty to fight theDuty to fight the ‫الكافرين‬‫الكافرين‬ (infidels)(infidels) ‫عين‬ ‫فرض‬‫عين‬ ‫فرض‬
• State of war must continue between the houseState of war must continue between the house
of peace and the house of war.of peace and the house of war.
• Democracy is not compatible with religion.Democracy is not compatible with religion.
• Citizenship through religion, not countriesCitizenship through religion, not countries
• The current man-made rules are laws made byThe current man-made rules are laws made by
ungodly rulers (apostates), want Sharia lawsungodly rulers (apostates), want Sharia laws
• A just world only if practicing the “true religion”A just world only if practicing the “true religion”
• The West is the source of evil:The West is the source of evil: CrusadersCrusaders..
• Dying as a martyr is the most honourableDying as a martyr is the most honourable
deathdeath
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5. Thinking
• Brainwashed with extremists’ ideologies
• Rigid, unsophisticated, one-way, simplifies
complex issues
• Opposite view is heretic
• Subjective interpretation of events
• Desire to convince/convert others
• Utopian  near-perfect future
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6. Feelings/Emotions
Problems with their personal lives (inability to hold a job,
failure to join the military, a failed relationship,
addiction, personal needs/ objectives).
Dissatisfaction with a combination of society
problems: social, economic, political, cultural,
religious conditions, etc.
Perception that “their people” have been humiliated,
threatened or aggrieved; victims of an injustice, no
hope for success (occupation, Afghanistan, Iraq,
Israel, defeat…..etc.)
Strong feelings for revenge
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7. AttitudesAttitudes
• Negative towards other religions and
cultures.
• Externalize the blame to others.
• Perceiving themselves as “victims”,
“freedom fighters” & “revolutionaries.”
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8. ROH – 2015-03-25ROH – 2015-03-25 88
Behaviours
• They dehumanize their victims (infidels, PIGS, conspirators
and oppressors absolving themselves of any guilt)
• Emphasis on conformity: Peer pressure,
group solidarity to create “group mind-
set” and “group moral code”. Developing “in group love”
and “out of group hate”
• Require unquestioned loyalty &
obedience to the “Ameer” & the group

9. Few researchers:
Behavior of terrorists can be explained by
mental illnesses such as psychotic states,
psychopathic or sociopathic, narcissistic,
schizophrenic, paranoid, depressed,
borderline, or passive-aggressive
personality disorders.
ROH – 2015-03-25ROH – 2015-03-25 99
ARE TERRORIST MENTALLY ILL?

10. ROH – 2015-03-25ROH – 2015-03-25 1010
ARE TERRORIST MENTALLY ILL?/2
Interviews with many Terrorists & Research:
•“No existence of clear symptoms of
psychopathology of would be suicide bombers or
the families of completed suicides in Israel” .
• ”The outstanding common characteristic of
terrorists is their normality”.
• ”The acutely mentally ill tend to be incapable of
carrying out the detailed planning and execution of terrorist operations”.
•“Terrorist groups do not permit emotionally
disturbed to join them, security risk”.
•Seriously disturbed individuals tend to act alone

11. Evidence: Terrorists are DevoutEvidence: Terrorists are Devout
•USA 9/11, bombings in England, Spain, Bali,USA 9/11, bombings in England, Spain, Bali,
Scottish Drs., Toronto 18s, Australia, France, Drs.Scottish Drs., Toronto 18s, Australia, France, Drs.
recently joined ISIS.recently joined ISIS.
•Bin Laden, el-Zawahiri, Jihadi john, Dr. Nidal,Bin Laden, el-Zawahiri, Jihadi john, Dr. Nidal,
ISIS leaders (Abo Baker), Sadat Keller'sAbo Baker), Sadat Keller's
•Boko Haram, The M.Bs burned governmentBoko Haram, The M.Bs burned government
building, > 80 churches, killed & still killingbuilding, > 80 churches, killed & still killing
officers, civilians, & deliberate destruction.officers, civilians, & deliberate destruction.
1111

12. ROH – 2015-03-25ROH – 2015-03-25 1212
Terrorism, Extremism:
Mad, Bad or Both?
• Mad: NO - devout
• Bad: It depends which side you’re on.
– ISIS: burning & slaughtering people, destroying
properties.
– History of collaborating with drug dealers,
vandalizing, kidnapping, ransom, some involved in
petty crimes to support their agenda, few career
criminals.
• Both: No

13. ROH – 2015-03-25ROH – 2015-03-25 1313
RADICALIZING & RECRUITING OF
FOREIGN FIGHTERS
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153633314252316&set=vb.73528002315&type=2&theater

14. ROH – 2015-03-25ROH – 2015-03-25 1414
How to identify westerners susceptible to
extremist’s propaganda?
They look for participants who want:
- Feelings of self-actualization, fulfillment, status,
power and direction.
- a way out of their routine life & adventure.
- a highly honored glorious name
- camaraderie.
- a way to become a “somebody”.
-Wearing a military uniform & carrying a gun
boosts their egos & self-esteem.

15. ROH – 2015-03-25ROH – 2015-03-25 1515
What roles do the internet and social media
play?
• CDs since the 1970s – M. Brotherhood.
• ISIS supporters producing as many as 90,000 tweets
and other social media responses every day.
• Al-Qaeda told followers "We must make the Internet
our tool."
• Justifying their ideologies & grievances
• Internet allows the Middle Eastern ideology
espoused by terrorists to grow in Western
countries.
• Exposure to extremist ideologies facilitated
terrorist groups to convert and recruit youth.

16. ROH – 2015-03-25ROH – 2015-03-25 1616
ISIS Video & propaganda
• Background music with a man singing in a soft
voice about the glory of Islam while parades of
“victorious” jihadist riding horses & carrying
swords & weapons with black flags
• Promise members a glorified role full freedom,
no control from parents/teachers, new friends,
opportunity for adventure, and relationships.
• To girls: you will marry anyone you love. We
will pay all your expenses. You can leave any
time you want.
• Many were killed for attempting to leave.

17. Thank youThank you
Wagdy LozaWagdy Loza
WML@QUEENSU.CAWML@QUEENSU.CA
ROH – 2015-03-25ROH – 2015-03-25 1717

18. ROH – 2015-03-25ROH – 2015-03-25 1818

19. Rigid
Simplistic
Poor knowledge
Conformity
Reject change
History Backward
Extreme religious
beliefs (Jihad,
Martyrdom)
Political
(internal &
external)
Socio-economic
Anger
Powerless
Alienated
Dissonance
Past Glories
Fertile Soil 1. Thoughts 2. Feelings
Model for Terrorist Act
1919

20. IQ: Mod - Hi
Easily
manipulated
Wish to belong
Self-actualization
Desperate
Over-controlled
Blaming
Negative to
authority
No acceptance for
different beliefs
Uncompromising
Injustice
Modernity is bad
3. Attitudes /beliefs 4. Personality 5. Behavior
TERRORISTACT
Model for Terrorist Act
2020