Terrorism’s impact requires precise tuning to its audiences.

Evidence

The metaphor of resonance appropriately describes terrorism’s effects, since acts of terrorism constitute a reasonably small stimulus that causes and intensifies an echo or vibration in the social system. This concept implies that the act of terrorism has to be properly attuned to its audience, to strike a chord, if it is to be effective. When the audience is responsive, the act of terrorism resonates or continues to sound beyond its immediate impact. … However, a conceptual distinction must be drawn between direct and indirect audiences. The direct audience is composed of persons who identify with the victims of terrorism; they are potential victims because they belong to the same social category as the victims (such as judges, police, diplomats, airline passengers, foreign business executives). The indirect audience, in contrast, is not directly affiliated with the victims. Its members may be neutral or may even identify with the terrorists. The act of terrorism, if it seems a threat at all, is experienced only vicariously. The indirect audience is not a party to the struggle the terrorists have initiated. Most terrorists, of course, try to choose their audiences strategically. They may widen the scope of the conflict by incorporating new direct audiences. For example, Palestinian attacks on non-Israeli targets, such as foreign tourists or pilgrims, converted people who were uninvolved into direct audiences. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4169 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Terrorism analysis must span individual, group, and audience-at-victim levels; Terrorism must escalate in drama and novelty as its audiences grow distant — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4171; Terrorism’s effectiveness depends on strategic selection of direct and indirect audiences — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4169 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Terrorism’s effectiveness depends on strategic selection of direct and indirect audiences #expands (0.92) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4169