Who turns to suicide bombing?

New British research into the causes of terrorism has revealed why people turn to suicide bombing, and it may be tied to the immortality that remains long after death.

The University of Southampton is researching why people turn to terrorism and investigating the motivations that persuade ordinary people to carry out extreme acts of violence, which could help tackle the growing problem suicide attacks.

Using terror management theory, which provides important clues to researchers and government agencies about extreme behaviour such as suicide bombing, Dr Clay Routledge is examining the emotional reactions of people confronted with the psychological terror of knowing they will die.

The latest research is the first to reveal that heightened awareness of death increases willingness to self-sacrifice in an effort to seek symbolic immortality.

When people are faced with mortality they are more likely to want to commit themselves to some form of meaning, or worldview, which will enable them to live on in some way.

A study of 105 UK students, with a non–religious cultural identity, revealed that when asked to think about their own mortality they reacted with increased willingness to self-sacrifice for England.

However, when alternative ways of transcending death were provided, this moderated the impact of responsiveness to death awareness.

The research studied the attitudes of the participants when encouraged to think about their own death or another unpleasant experience that did not involve death (e.g. dental pain).

The participants were then either asked to imagine being a member of a group that was transient, and would cease to exist beyond their death, or one that was immortal, and would continue beyond their death.

When no alternative outlet of symbolic immortality (or on-going group) was provided, personal safety was perceived to be less important than the continuation of the British way of life.

The research suggests that heightened awareness of mortality increases the willingness of the British to make self-sacrifices, in some form, for their nation.

Finding meaning in life

Cultural or religious worldviews enable people to feel that they are part of something larger, more meaningful, and, ultimately, lasting longer than themselves.

Suicide bombing offers not only an identity, but also a place in community history - life is exchanged for identity.

Self-sacrificial behaviour is present in many cultures, and is not exclusively linked with Islam.

It is an assertion that you will survive as an identity even if you cannot survive in physical form.

Many ordinary people, given the right conditions, can be influenced into violence.

Connecting with comrades provides an emotional haven and a clear focus for turbulent energies.

What is most important is to be integrated into a society or group as people who do not feel they are may be more likely to seek violent ways of achieving immortality.

Individuals can attain symbolic immortality deciding to die for their country, but if offered other ways of achieving symbolic life, they may be encouraged to leave a legacy in a pro-social way, rather than through violence.

Pro-social methods of extending identity beyond death include raising children, starting a company and the preservation of peaceful cultural or religious practices.

Dr Clay Routledge said: "The 7 July bombers may have been driven, in part, by a desire for a larger sense of meaning or purpose and for symbolic permanence.

"When faced with the reality of their mortality people are more likely to want to commit themselves to some form of meaning that will enable them to live on in some way - the continuity of life after death.

"A method to attain that existence, even if violent, can be reassuring if it is considered to be an important part of affirming a meaning and immortality-providing cultural identity," he explained.

"Individuals feel less transient if they can live on in some way. It is possible that suicide bombings could be overcome by helping people assert themselves and selfhood in a more meaningful and pro-social way.

"The most extreme ways that people can invest in their world view is to sacrifice their own life for it. Physical risks help to secure their own immortality – this is self sacrifice as self-defence," he concluded.

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