Symbolic interactionism Sociology of terrorism

symbolic interactionism “a micro–level theory in shared meanings, originations, , assumptions form basic motivations behind peoples’ actions. in symbolic interactionism, face-to-face interaction creates social world. individuals act on perceived meanings appear self-constituting. group membership 1 of major determinations if individual interpretations of reality, enables symbolic interactionism explain crime, , terrorism.

deviance, terrorism falls under, can explained labeling theory. labeling theory “the belief individuals subconsciously notice how others see or label them, , reactions labels, on time, form basis of self-identity. social groups create rules acceptable behavior people in society. when rule broken society determines if act deviant. person can become deviant after social reaction act committed labeled deviant, , original act referred primary deviance. being labeled deviant causes person see deviants, leads said person performing more deviant acts, each act being referred secondary deviance. secondary deviance can turn stigma, label changes way people see someone, , how individual views according symbolic interactionism, terrorism treated learned behaviors. each person learns how commit terrorism through interactions terrorist. involvement in group important in learning process, , members upon joining resocialized group’s version of reality. best way accomplish involve new members in terrorist acts, leads terrorist organization become reference point members.

social learning theory plays part in socialization of terroristic behaviors. social learning theory states person becomes deviant because of abundance of definitions favor deviant behavior versus definitions unfavorable such behaviors. theory broken down 4 learning mechanisms: differential association, definitions, differential reinforcement, , imitation. first learning mechanism differential association, refers direct association , interaction others engage in kinds of behaviors or express norms, values, , attitudes supportive of such behavior, indirect association , identification more distant reference groups. groups individual differentially associated provides context in social learning operated. greater priority, intensity, duration, , frequency of differential association greater effect on behavior, theory in relation terrorism stronger s connection towards terrorist organization better chance person has of exhibiting terroristic behaviors. second learning mechanism definitions. definitions refer individual s own value , belief system , not acceptable behavior. these values learned , reinforced through differential association. there 2 types of definitions, general definition , specific definition. general definitions include broad beliefs conformity influenced through conventional means , influenced religious or moral values. specific definitions seen align individual particular acts of crime. greater number of definitions more person engage in criminal behavior. more definitions individual has favor terroristic behavior greater chance person has of committing terroristic acts. third learning mechanism differential reinforcement. differential reinforcement refers balance of anticipated or actual rewards , punishments follow behavior. individual refraining committing crime depends on balance of past, present, , anticipated future rewards or punishments actions. in regards terrorism more direct or indirect social interaction person has towards terrorism more commit terroristic act. fourth , final learning mechanism imitation. imitation notion individuals engage in behaviors have witnessed others doing. characters being observed, behaviors being witnessed, , consequences behaviors determine how individual imitates behavior. of these things need fall place in order individual imitate terrorist.