How on earth can a terrorist appear so calm and composed when he is just about to commit a terrorist atrocity?

Question

I think this is a very important question so any psychology experts answers would be gratefully recieved

Answer 1

you've just hit the nail on the head, that's the problem I've got with the Muslim faith,when i see all these young kids at Muslim schools,rocking backwards and forewards, reading the Koran, sorry but for me that's brain washing.
sorry there you go I've had my rant for the day :)

Answer 2

Actually eye witness reports of the 7/7 bombings suggest that the perpetrators were far from calm and composed. They had an air of nervousness about them and did seem distressed. This also seems true of people who have survived attacks by suicide bombers all over the world.

These people are brainwashed but even the most extreme brainwashing won't stop that feeling of dread when you know you are going to die. You may believe it's the right thing to do but there is still dread and nervousness.

Answer 3

They believe they are going to Paradise,so all earthly worries fade into the background.They also feel a strong desire to avenge the atrocities committed against their fellow muslims by the us. uk & Israel.How can they be expected to regard their victims as innocent when their own women & children are slaughtered on a daily basis by the above named countries?Do people in the West think it's ok to kill muslim women & children,but not fair if they kill ours?Just who are the real terrorists here?The young men who carry out these attacks would prefer to live long & peaceful lives,but the West will not allow them to do that.They cannot hope to match the military might of the West,so suicide bombings are the most effective means of striking back.As the saying goes:One man's terrorist,is another man's freedom-fighter.

Answer 4

terrorists are like convicts. They appear most relax when they really are very nervous inside. This kind of masking is difficult to detect as many regular plane passengers also looks similarly relaxed. Usually, their composure comes from training. But their are times wherein terrorists repress such anxiety that they overmask themselves with relaxation.

Answer 5

Few thoughts on this. One, in most cases, they have undergone 'brain-washing or re-programming', which means that they stop thinking about other things else than their course... 'the end justifies the means'
Two, determination and confidence that overtakes the rational thinking that you and I will mull over... The mind is set that they are doing something righteous, that is right, that it is in line with their religious beliefs (going to heaven, dying as a martyr), that they have to take justice in their own hands,etc....

Answer 6

It isn't hard for humans to mind-screw themselves into believing just about anything. I heard something like 55% of americans believe there is an actual being walking around with a pitchfork and goat feet called Satan. If 55% can believe that, then it isn't much of a stretch to believe that you'll go to heaven for terrorism.

Answer 7

Brainwashing, Training, Organisation and Dedication

Answer 8

Religious zeal and the belief that what they are about to do is the right thing... If you are about to go and do your job are you calm and collected or are you nervous? I think many of them see it as a job that needs to be done in order to guarantee an afterlife.

Answer 9

They think they are doing something for the good of their people. Not to mention the fact that their families are paid rather well for them to carry out this murderous deed. They are considered hero's in their world.

Answer 10

Well the key word is appear. Appearing to be something is pretty easy really.

But they believe in what they are doing. If you believe you are doing something right you have no need to be worried.