12 pages Research Paper

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL: TERRORISM AND THE MEDIA: ITS INFLUENCE ON HUMAN BEHAVIOR DURING A DISASTER

Terrorism and the Media: Its Influence on Human Behavior During a Disaster

Liberty University

Crismelis Liriano

CJUS 383-B01

Professor Frank T. Whitehurst

Summer 2016

This study source was downloaded by 100000802811226 from CourseHero.com on 04-19-2021 23:15:26 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/59205186/Research-Proposaldocx/

Th is

stu dy

re so

ur ce

w as

sh ar

ed v

ia C

ou rs

eH er

o. co

m

RESEARCH PROPOSAL: TERRORISM AND THE MEDIA: ITS INFLUENCE ON HUMAN BEHAVIOR DURING A DISASTER 2

Abstract

This research proposal identifies the effect of terrorism and the media on human behavior

during a disaster. An assessment of the related literature is undertaken to review the role the

media in urging terrorist attacks and the shaping of public point of view. Also, this paper will

analyze the existing evidence about the mental health and behavioral consequences of terrorism,

consider organizational and research questions that challenge the field and debate the evidence

for specific prevention and treatment efforts intended to mitigate the mental health and

behavioral consequences of terrorism.

This study source was downloaded by 100000802811226 from CourseHero.com on 04-19-2021 23:15:26 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/59205186/Research-Proposaldocx/

Th is

stu dy

re so

ur ce

w as

sh ar

ed v

ia C

ou rs

eH er

o. co

m

RESEARCH PROPOSAL: TERRORISM AND THE MEDIA: ITS INFLUENCE ON HUMAN BEHAVIOR DURING A DISASTER 3

Introduction

Although the definition of terrorism, changes over time, scholars agreed to a simple

definition stating that “terrorism is an act or threatened act of violence against innocent people

for political purpose”[ CITATION Jon14 \l 1033 ]. Terrorism mission is to spread the panic and

fear among a particular audience. A bomb not only destroys the primary target but all the people

who would witness it through all type of media. A terrorist act is meant to be impressive, and

attention getting activity. The main target is not a random or a particular building; the target is

the audience. Terrorist groups provide the action for the terror event, and the media role is to

spread the message to a wider audience. With the new technology era, terrorist groups use social

media to help terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda, and ISIS to fundraise, recruit, brainwash, and

train new terrorists, representing a new challenge to authorities. In Chitty Law Journal, Roland

Gaucher stated: “the goal of terrorism is not to kill or destroy property but to break the spirit of

the opposition” (Chistty's L. J., 1976). For them, life has no value, neither a property. What they

want is to create a sensation within the “enemy.”

Background and Problem Statement

While social media tactics present new opportunities and are playing historical roles in

spreading pro-democracy revolts across the Middle East, they also are generating new concerns

for security agencies dealing in the complicated world of extremist ideology. “What started with

the choreographed execution video of James Foley, blasted across the Web through an army of

dummy Twitter accounts, has now morphed into something more devious and distributed”

[ CITATION Sin15 \l 1033 ]. The role of the media is to inform the people about what happen,

This study source was downloaded by 100000802811226 from CourseHero.com on 04-19-2021 23:15:26 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/59205186/Research-Proposaldocx/

Th is

stu dy

re so

ur ce

w as

sh ar

ed v

ia C

ou rs

eH er

o. co

m

RESEARCH PROPOSAL: TERRORISM AND THE MEDIA: ITS INFLUENCE ON HUMAN BEHAVIOR DURING A DISASTER 4

local, national and around the world. However, the media also gives the sick version of celebrity

status to terrorists. For example; three workers associated with Express News television were

killed when unidentified attackers of the TTP opened fire on a digital satellite news gathering

van in Karachi’s Nazimabad area. They stated “We TTP accept responsibility, and we would like

to present some of the reasons” [ CITATION Reh14 \l 1033 ]. This is how they claim

responsibility for terrorist attacks and thus, obtain free global publicity for their cause. For them,

a terrorist attack would be useless if nobody knows about it. Social media like YouTube,

Facebook, Instagram among many others have a huge role in spreading terrorism propaganda, to

all kind of people and all ages around the world causing panic and disconcern in society.

After September 11, 2001, and the succeeding anthrax attacks, much research have been

focused on biological weapons, including diagnostics, and vaccines; far less research

consideration has been focused on the behavioral and psychobiological effects of terrorism on

the media. Though the main goals of terrorism are eventually psychological, affecting entire

populations well beyond the possibility of physical destruction of terrorist acts, this will

undermine the government's efforts to provide protection to its citizens from the deadly

consequences of terrorism. Much effort have been put on behavior misconception during

disasters and none on the effect that terror in the media could have on a person response to a

disaster. However, it is well known from psychological theory that people have different ways

of interpreting and perceiving risk and that this will influence the behavioral, emotional

responses to that risk. Therefore, it is vital to consider how risk is communicated to the public

since this can influence the ability and readiness of individuals and communities to follow

response strategies, precautions, and evacuation instructions.

This study source was downloaded by 100000802811226 from CourseHero.com on 04-19-2021 23:15:26 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/59205186/Research-Proposaldocx/

Th is

stu dy

re so

ur ce

w as

sh ar

ed v

ia C

ou rs

eH er

o. co

m

RESEARCH PROPOSAL: TERRORISM AND THE MEDIA: ITS INFLUENCE ON HUMAN BEHAVIOR DURING A DISASTER 5

Literature Review

According to Yehuda and Hyman (2005), the distress caused by the media on the general

population is poorly understood[ CITATION Yeh05 \l 1033 ]. It is also ambiguous whether the

use of the media is the best source for public information. What were learned in New York City

following the September 11th attacks proves that media exposure degrades distress in high-risk

populations, but attenuates distress more broadly? It does appear, however, that news

consumption especially related to terrorism, temporary increases in anxiety in the general adult

public. Explanation of these conclusions is complicated because there may be differences in

patterns of the use of media. Those most likely to be distressed may watch the most television,

possibly as a coping mechanism better to understand the event [ CITATION Yeh05 \l 1033 ].

However, there is also the likelihood of a reporting bias, (memory or attention bias), “that those

who endorse more distress may also endorse more exposure to media coverage”[ CITATION

Yeh05 \l 1033 ].

The typical American watches nearly five hours of video each day, 98% on a traditional

television. According to Nielsen Company, approximately two-thirds of TV programs contain

some physical violence. Most self-involving video games contain some violent content,

including those for children. According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, the overall

violent victimization rate (e.g., rape and assaults) decreased by 20% from 2012 to 2014.

Similarly, the murder rate in the US has dropped by almost half, from 1.0 per 1,000 people in

2010 to 1.1 in 2014[ CITATION BJS14 \l 1033 ]. Although, violence crimes have decreased the

This study source was downloaded by 100000802811226 from CourseHero.com on 04-19-2021 23:15:26 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/59205186/Research-Proposaldocx/

Th is

stu dy

re so

ur ce

w as

sh ar

ed v

ia C

ou rs

eH er

o. co

m

RESEARCH PROPOSAL: TERRORISM AND THE MEDIA: ITS INFLUENCE ON HUMAN BEHAVIOR DURING A DISASTER 6

public perception is that violence has increased. Because violence in the media is increasing the

public, disbelieve the statistics.

Researchers have found many misconceptions about human behavior during disasters.

For example, the Australian Emergency Management Institute found that people tend to think

that people panic during a disaster, losing control of their actions, impulsive behaviors and being

selfish trying to save themselves leaving others behind[ CITATION DIS \l 1033 ]. Others

suggested that human behaviour in crisis, disaster or catastrophe situations may be analysed over

separate periods of time, before, during, and after the disaster impact[ CITATION Pro11 \l

1033 ]. They also analyzed the typology of human behaviour based on observation was drawn

up not regarding the origin of the event but according to its time continuum and access to

information (p.49). To do this, they 1 identified from various data sources the diversity of

behaviours that may occur during a catastrophic event, 2) classifiedthese behaviours depending

on the time range of the event time from upstream to downstream of the event and the

information available to the public about the occurrence of a disaster, making clear that the

access to information changes the behaviours, and 3) identified the common properties to these

behaviours, whether they are individual behaviours or collective behaviours that spread to the

whole community[ CITATION Pro11 \l 1033 ]. It is critical to find out how people react at these

times, what they do, and what decisions are made.

It is vital to understand the effect of the media on people and meet the challenges of using

the media to recommend positive messages that promote resilience. However, to do that is

necessary a methodical investigation, as well as to investigate the possibility of the use of the

media as a tool to help citizens control post-traumatic anxiety and arousal caused disasters. As

days go by, information about abnormal behavior and where to get help it is also necessary so

This study source was downloaded by 100000802811226 from CourseHero.com on 04-19-2021 23:15:26 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/59205186/Research-Proposaldocx/

Th is

stu dy

re so

ur ce

w as

sh ar

ed v

ia C

ou rs

eH er

o. co

m

RESEARCH PROPOSAL: TERRORISM AND THE MEDIA: ITS INFLUENCE ON HUMAN BEHAVIOR DURING A DISASTER 7

that spectators can make accurate assessments of their psychological state or their loved ones. In

this way, vulnerable individuals might be self-identified as soon as possible and directed to

appropriate professional assistance.

Conclusion

John M. Alspaugh said, “It is impossible to protect all possible targets against all

potential threats all of the time.”[ CITATION Als16 \l 1033 ]. Furthermore, terrorists only need

limited successes to the media to be effective by creating panic among the community. The

frequency of terrorism, fear of a possible terrorist attack can generate a paralyzing sense of panic

and terror in the population. Though, an aware public generates confidence and readiness,

reducing the success and impact of terrorist attempts. Also, familiarity with the threat routes and

realistic risks of attack allow preparation. This preparation can help in reducing the level of fear,

as well as reduce the impact of the attack on the population. The United States needs a strategy

that not only addresses the threat vectors but also addresses the fear and panic generated by

terrorism to diminish the occurrences and effects. Also, key aspects of this strategy include

preparedness and information. Prepared and informed people are less likely to succumb to the

fears generated by the threat of terrorism[ CITATION Als16 \l 1033 ]. Also, it is mandatory in

the government at all levels to communicate trustworthy and accurate messages to avoid creation

of pointless confusion and fear in the population.

This study source was downloaded by 100000802811226 from CourseHero.com on 04-19-2021 23:15:26 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/59205186/Research-Proposaldocx/

Th is

stu dy

re so

ur ce

w as

sh ar

ed v

ia C

ou rs

eH er

o. co

m

RESEARCH PROPOSAL: TERRORISM AND THE MEDIA: ITS INFLUENCE ON HUMAN BEHAVIOR DURING A DISASTER 8

References Alspaugh, J. M. (2016). The Future of Terrorism and Fear. American Board for Certification in

Homeland Security. Retrieved July 6, 2016, from

http://www.abchs.com/ihs/SPRING2015/Alspaugh_100.php

BJS. (2010-2014). NCVS Victimization Analysis Tool. Bureau of Justice Statistics. Retrieved July

8, 2016, from http://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=nvat

DISACT. (n.d.). The Myths of Human Response in Disaster. Mount Macedon, Australia:

Australian Emergency Management Institute.

Kaplan, A. (2012, October 05). Violence in the Media: What Effects on Behavior?

Psychiatrictimes.com. Retrieved July 5, 2016, from

http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/child-adolescent-psychiatry/violence-media-what-

effects-behavior

Provitolo, D., Dubos-Paillard, E., & Muller, J.-P. (2011, September). EMERGENT HUMAN

BEHAVIOUR DURING A DISASTER: THEMATIC VERSUS COMPLEX SYSTEMS

APPROACHES. Vienna, Austria: ResearchGate. Retrieved July 7, 2016, from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265361534_EMERGENT_HUMAN_BEHAVI

This study source was downloaded by 100000802811226 from CourseHero.com on 04-19-2021 23:15:26 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/59205186/Research-Proposaldocx/

Th is

stu dy

re so

ur ce

w as

sh ar

ed v

ia C

ou rs

eH er

o. co

m

RESEARCH PROPOSAL: TERRORISM AND THE MEDIA: ITS INFLUENCE ON HUMAN BEHAVIOR DURING A DISASTER 9

OUR_DURING_A_DISASTER_THEMATIC_VERSUS_COMPLEX_SYSTEMS_APP

ROACHES

Rehman, F. (2014, January 23). Terrorism and the media’s role. Daily Times. Retrieved from

http://dailytimes.com.pk/opinion/23-Jan-14/terrorism-and-the-medias-role

Singer, P., & Brooking, E. (2015). Terror on Twitter. Popular Science. Retrieved March 2016,

from http://www.popsci.com/terror-on-twitter-how-isis-is-taking-war-to-social-media

White, J. R. (2014). Terrorism and Homeland Security. Velmont, CA: CENGAGE Learning.

Yehuda, R., & Hyman, S. E. (2005, July 13). The Impact of Terrorism on Brain, and Behavior:

What We Know and What We Need to Know. Neuropsychopharmacology. Retrieved from

http://www.nature.com/npp/journal/v30/n10/full/1300817a.html

This study source was downloaded by 100000802811226 from CourseHero.com on 04-19-2021 23:15:26 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/59205186/Research-Proposaldocx/

Th is

stu dy

re so

ur ce

w as

sh ar

ed v

ia C

ou rs

eH er

o. co

m

Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)