Countering Terrorism: Psychosocial Strategies - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 8132109597 ISBN 13: 9788132109594

Publisher: SAGE, 2012

Synopsis

"Countering Terrorism: Psychosocial Strategies" contextualizes the issues related to terrorism and places the discourse within the ambit of sociocultural theories. The book goes beyond the obvious and commonsensical notions and discusses the relevant issues from interdisciplinary perspectives, informed by theoretical stances of not only psychological sciences, but other social sciences like political science, criminology, military, and sociology as well. The volume contains 18 chapters by expert authors with diverse cultural backgrounds and provides a wide ranging canvas for multifaceted understanding of the terror phenomenon. The opening section, 'Understanding Terrorism: Psychosocial Issues', places emphasis on developing a well-heeled construct with strong theoretical foundations and empirical understanding of the psycho-socio-cultural dynamics involved in perpetration of terror acts. The second section, 'Countering Terrorism: Psychosocial Avenues', flows from the understanding thus attained and expounds counter-terror strategies and preventive measures that go beyond the obvious short-term goals and envisage the creation of a peaceful world.

About this title

Review:

The multi-disciplinary scholarship contained in this highly relevant book could be said to have resolved the decades-long conundrum of how terrorism should be defined and understood...This publication could be recommended as a comprehensive exploration of the subject of ‘terrorism’...Countering Terrorism is a book which ought to get into the hands of governments and other relevant quarters which are deeply concerned about ‘terror’, its causes and containment. [The book] explore numerous dimensions of this troubling political phenomenon, which could prove highly revelatory to the researcher and a lay reader. The book’s editors have met a crying need in the discipline of Political Science by bringing out this book. It would also be of immense help in raising public awareness about ‘terror’ and it’s hitherto numerous unexplored dimensions.

(The Island)

The diverse geographic and cultural affiliations of the authors are the biggest strength of the text as it adds force to the arguments and content. [The book] gives a balanced worldview and not a partisan subjective opinion of an individual researcher...The compendium is a must read...due credit must be given to the authors for relating various concepts to field examples, making the narrative easy to understand and an extremely useful addition to the literature available on countering terrorism.

(Peace and Conflict Studies)

The book is a formidable collection of essays on terrorism written by an impressive group of experts from India and abroad... the book is surprisingly original in its contents. It is not another rehash of past events or analyses of terrorist movements. This voluminous book is, in fact, a serious study of the social, religious and psychological factors that cause terrorism, and various strategies best suited to combat the various manifestations of terrorism....  thought-provoking and provide many pointers for practitioners.

(The Asian Age)

A Comprehensive yet concise compilation of the work on historic, economic, socio-cultural, political and psychological aspects of understanding and countering terrorism.... the compilation is educative reading for those dealing with terrorism, may they be from the civil services, defence forces, police and parliamentary forces. Worth a look by politicians...The book will benefit those researching in countering terrorism and those who prepare policy dealing with such matters. (Defence Watch, Vol 13, August 2013)

The book tackles psychological aspects of terrorism and offers countermeasures, and will be of interest to researchers and academia involved in studying the issue. It is recommended for libraries of research and educational institutes dealing with defence topics.

(Journal of Defence Studies)

About the Author:

Updesh Kumar, Ph.D., is a Scientist ‘F’ and in the chair of the Head, Mental Health Division at Defence Institute of Psychological Research, R&D Organization, Ministry of Defence, Delhi, India. Dr Kumar obtained his Doctorate degree from Punjab University, Chandigarh. With more than 23 years of experience as a scientist in R&D organization, he specializes in the area of suicidal behavior, personality assessment, and personnel selection and has developed a number of psychological tests and assessment tools. Dr Kumar has been a psychological assessor (psychologist) in various services selection boards for eight years for the selection of officers in Indian Armed Forces. He is a certified psychologist by The British Psychological Society with level ‘A’ and level ‘B’ Certificate of Competence in Occupational Testing. He has to his credit many important research projects relating to the Armed Forces. Dr Kumar has edited four quality volumes on ‘Recent Developments in Psychology,’ ‘Counseling: A Practical Approach,’ ‘Suicidal Behaviour: Assessment of People at Risk’ (SAGE Publications), and recently ‘Countering Terrorism: Psychosocial Strategies’ published by SAGE Publications, ‘Positive Psychology: Applications in Work, Health and Well-being’ (in press, Pearson Publication) and ‘Suicidal Behaviour: Underlying Dynamics’ (in press, Routledge Publication, UK). Dr Kumar has authored manuals on ‘Suicide and Fratricide: Dynamics and Management’ for defense personnel, ‘Managing Emotions in Daily Life & at Work Place’ for general population, ‘Overcoming Obsolescence & Becoming Creative in R&D Environment’ for R&D organizations, and ‘Self-Help Techniques in Military Settings.’ He has authored more than 50 other academic publications in the form of research papers, journal articles, and book chapters and represented his institute at national and international level. He has been the recipient of Defence R&D organization’s (DRDO) Technology Group Award in 2001 and 2009, and Professor Manju Thakur Memorial Award 2009 by Indian Academy of Psychology (IAAP). He was also conferred with the DRDO’s Best Popular Science Communication Award 2009 by Hon’ble Defence Minister of India and DRDO Technology Day Award, 2012 by Hon’ble Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister. Dr Kumar has been recently conferred upon with the prestigious DRDO’s Scientist of the Year Award 2013 by the Government of India.

 

About this edition

• Publisher: SAGE
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 8132109597
• ISBN 13: 9788132109594
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 468
• Editor: Kumar Updesh, Mandal Manas K.