Terrorism can re-enact unresolved childhood confrontations with parental authority.

Evidence

Erikson (1963, p. 189) also emphasizes a Freudian contribution that may explain an individual’s choice of terrorism as a form of conflict with authority: “The individual unconsciously arranges for variations of an original theme which he has not learned either to overcome or to live with: he tries to master a situation which in its original form has been too much for him by meeting it repeatedly and of his own accord.” The child who feared to mount a violent challenge to parents may later try to overcome that fear by attacking external authorities, such as political or social elites. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4134 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Childhood violence yields its effects only later when triggered by place. — Mark Fisher (edited by Darren Ambrose), K-Punk: The Collected and Unpublished…, 542; Terrorist groups substitute for failed family structures and relieve personal responsibility.; Terrorism can be a repeated attempt to master unresolved childhood conflicts — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4134 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Terrorism can be a repeated attempt to master unresolved childhood conflicts #expands (0.95) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4134