Psychology Faculty Publications
Document Type
Report
Publication Date
9-2006
Disciplines
Criminology | Defense and Security Studies | Leadership Studies | Near and Middle Eastern Studies | New Religious Movements | Other Political Science | Peace and Conflict Studies | Personality and Social Contexts | Psychiatry and Psychology | Terrorism Studies
Abstract
Personality assessment of three al-Qaida leaders in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the United States – Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and Mohamed Atta – provides evidence for a rudimentary model of the leadership roles required for a global-reach terrorist operation: (1) a narcissistic, charismatic leader devoid of core values beyond personal self-interest, adept at exploiting others in pursuit of his grandiose ambitions (e.g., bin Laden); (2) a strategic-thinking “true believer” without constraints of conscience regarding the level of violence he is willing to employ in his single-minded pursuit of mission (e.g., al-Zawahiri); and (3) unobtrusive, disciplined operatives willing to sacrifice themselves for a higher cause (e.g., Atta). The presence of three such radically different, distinctive personality types occupying key roles in a terrorist organization has important practical implications for combating terror.
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2006 by Unit for the Study of Personality in Politics / Aubrey Immelman
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Immelman, A. (2006, September). Key leadership roles in the 9/11 terrorist attack [Issue brief]. Unit for the Study of Personality in Politics. https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/psychology_pubs/134/
Included in
Criminology Commons, Defense and Security Studies Commons, Leadership Studies Commons, Near and Middle Eastern Studies Commons, New Religious Movements Commons, Other Political Science Commons, Peace and Conflict Studies Commons, Personality and Social Contexts Commons, Psychiatry and Psychology Commons, Terrorism Studies Commons
Comments
The research was conducted at the Unit for the Study of Personality in Politics (USPP), a collaborative faculty–student research program in the psychology of politics at St. John’s University and the College of St. Benedict in Collegeville and St. Joseph, Minnesota, directed by Aubrey Immelman, PhD, associate professor of psychology, who specializes in the psychological assessment of presidential candidates and world leaders.
Related reports
The Personality Profile of al-Qaida Leader Osama bin Laden » https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/psychology_pubs/69/
“Bin Laden’s Brain”: The Abrasively Negativistic Personality of Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri » https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/psychology_pubs/31/
The Personality Profile of September 11 Hijack Ringleader Mohamed Atta » https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/psychology_pubs/32/
Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi Fit Suicide Bomber Profile » http://www.immelman.us/news/balawi-fit-suicide-bomber-profile/
9/11 – 25th anniversary update
The Psychology of Terrorism: Osama bin Laden & Al-Qaeda | Interview » https://youtu.be/pFrKp1Bcl9A
In this interview, Jesus Barrera of The Legacy Times sits down with Professor Aubrey Immelman to explore the psychology of terrorism and the personalities of some of the most notorious figures in modern history, including Mohamed Atta, Osama bin Laden, and Ayman al-Zawahiri. They discuss personality, ideology, radicalization, and why understanding the psychology of terrorism is far more complex than simply labeling individuals as “evil” or “crazy.” (1:15:32)