Terrorism Wording Effects

Although terrorists use inherent, personal reasons to influence others, they also take advantage of external factors. Terrorists blame their victims due to cultural pressures through the use of the wording effect and other environmental factors. Bandura defines several social factors that describe how even decent people can be forced to enact savagely. Terrorists use euphemistic language to make their heinous actions seem respectable (129). When giving his speech, al-Baghdadi asserts that “Allah has forced [them] to fight his enemies and wage jihad for him to establish his religion” (DJ Nigel). By stating this, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi wanted to send a clear message, as caliphate, to his followers and the rest of the world. He wanted to unite and
The psychological explanations of why terrorism occurs in the first place can be taken advantage of to reduce overall terrorism in society. If an in-group changes its personal beliefs and values, an individual’s personal beliefs will change to match that of the collective self. If a terrorist group can change its collective beliefs to act without violence, each individual will redefine himself to that definition in order to reduce cognitive dissonance. Current generations should raise the future ones in a way to promote a peaceful collective identity. However, an attempt to change each terrorist group’s beliefs is practically impossible. Instead, the views of the jihadists must be understood. By doing this, one can take advantage of the wording effect and euphemistic language to ignite a change in the mind of a terrorist. Terrorists who are found and interrogated should be taught to change their personal identity. As a result, they could promote this new found definition to others in the group. By spreading the word, terrorism can be reduced in society. It is unrealistic to advocate that this theory will stop all human violence and suffering right away. This is a long-term solution with benefits that exceed the short-term costs. If this theory is used now, human barbarity could decline in the future
Another solution that can be implemented is changing the social and economic structure of the Middle Eastern nations. If first-world countries, today, worked to improve the conditions of their third-world counterparts, terrorism can be reduced. For example, the violence intensified by the youth bulge can be reduced by increasing job opportunities, and therefore improving the economies of these countries. Reducing the powers of destructive leaders like Bashar al-Assad and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi will prevent others from wanting to continue acting violently. However, the underlying issue is that no first-world country is willing to spend money on helping or improving other countries. After the United States attempted to help conditions in the Middle East throughout the Bush administration, many Americans felt their presence in the countries to be unnecessary. As a result, when Syria underwent a civil war, many Americans were hesitant in interfering with the country’s issues. Ironically, America’s lack of willingness to help allowed conditions in Syria to worsen. As a result of this, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi saw an opportunity in Syria and initiated the movement of his terrorist organization into Syria. If the United States was unwilling to help Syria when it needed it the most, during al-Assad’s presidency, it seems nearly impossible that it would help now. Moreover, it would cost money