Predicting Terrorism: Mission Possible

Date of Graduation

Spring 2006

Degree

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Department

Defense and Strategic Studies

Committee Chair

Bradley Thayer

Abstract

Part of what makes terrorism so powerful is its seemingly unpredictable and indiscriminate nature. However, terrorism is truly neither of those. This study examines the background of prediction; especially focusing on the prediction of behavior from the viewpoint of psychology, and then showing how it applies to the prediction of terrorism. Though the use of both psychology and mathematical methodologies, including formal modeling, methods forecasting terrorism are outlined and analyzed. This study concludes by identifying the best methodologies for predicting terrorism in the near seeable future and what future trends mean for predictive science in relation to terrorism behavior prediction.

Keywords

terrorism, prediction, behavior, attitude, unpredictable, forecasting

Subject Categories

Defense and Security Studies

Copyright

© Alan Steinberg

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

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