Citation

Alderdice TL. Int. Rev. Psychiatry 2007; 19(3): 201-209.

Affiliation

Centre for Psychotherapy, Belfast and Visiting Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Virginia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/09540260701346825

PMID

17566898

Abstract

Northern Ireland lived through a campaign of terrorism for thirty years. This has now ended and substantial progress has been made towards political stability through a long-term peace process. Using his experience as a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, but also as leader of a political party, negotiator in the peace process and subsequently Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Lord Alderdice explores the psychology of political terrorism. He examines the role of individual and group psychology, the evolution and dissolution of a 'group mind', splitting, and the factors that contribute to division and violence. He describes the frustration of healthy pathways for change, and humiliation, shame and rage as key factors in triggering regression into political violence. Containment, respect and a group psychological process are identified as necessary for evolution towards a more healthy state. It is suggested that application of these Northern Irish insights to the issue of terrorism in other places and especially in the Middle East, may open new and more psychologically sophisticated ways of addressing the problem of terrorism.

Language: en