Citation

Brym RJ, Araj B. Stud. Conflict Terrorism 2012; 35(10): 733-739.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/1057610X.2012.712033

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Ariel Merari purports to demonstrate a tendency on the part of suicide bombers to be motivated by depression and suicidal tendencies. However, he misconstrues the present authors' critique of his work and misinterprets their research. By clarifying both issues, this article seeks to substantiate three claims: (1) Merari's sampling procedure precludes generalization; (2) interviewer and contextual effects probably bias his findings; (3) evidence challenges his inferences.