Societal disintegration in Northern Ireland - a 5-year update

The hypothesis that society in Northern Ireland is in imminent danger of collapse as a consequence of the prolonged conflict there is tested using trends in crime from 1960-1983 as an index of such an occurrence. Comparisons between trends in crime in Northern Ireland with those in the Republic of Ireland and England and Wales are made. In addition, trends in crime in the cities of Belfast and Dublin are compared. As in an earlier study employing the same method on crime data up to 1978, no evidence emerges to support the hypothesis and a remarkably close relationship between trends in crime in the three areas and two cities is observed

The Milwaukee Project: a cautionary comment

Ken Heskin comments on an article on the Milwaukee Project that appeared in a previous issue of American Psychologist: Somner, R., & Somner, B. A. (1983). Mystery in Milwaukee: early intervention, IQ, and psychology textbooks. American Psychologist, 38 (9), 982-985. The original article is available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.38.9.982

International relations and politics

Abstract not available

Sociology

Abstract not available

Terrorism in Ireland: the past and the future

The importance of motivating factors, predisposing individual characteristics and proximate situational determinants in the initiation and maintenance of the campaign of violence by the Provisional IRA, as proposed by Heskin (1985a) is reviewed. The influence of these factors and others in the possible diminution and discontinuation of political violence in Ireland is considered. Particular attention is given to the changing world political climate and the increasing importance of trans-national political and economic alliances, the evident stalemate in the conflict and the moral nature of the conflict from the perspective of the Provisional IRA as key factors in negotiating a peace settlement

Political violence in Northern Ireland

This study examined political violence, focusing on paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland, particularly that of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). The study argued that the parameters of such behavior are similar in some important respects for all conflict-oriented groups, whether national armed forces or paramilitary organizations. The motivation, personal characteristics, and proximate situational influences involved in the violence in Northern Ireland are considered. The analysis draws on concepts and research from social psychology and attempts to construct a tentative psychological framework to facilitate an understanding of political violence in general

Sociology

Abstract not available

Metamotivational dominance and addictive substance use among adolescents

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Directory of academic psychologists in Australian universities

Abstract not available

The terrorists' terrorist: Vincent Browne's interview with Dominic McGlinchey

Ken Heskin considers from a theoretical and concrete perspective the attitudes and motivations of terrorists through the medium of an unusual interview with an active terrorist, published in November 1983. The object is to combat some of the myths concerning the character of individual terrorists and to prevent discussion of the question from being seen as simply a succession of essentially inexplicable, dreadful deeds perpetrated by unseen evil forces. The interview, as explained by the author, reveals the complex forces which motivate a modern terrorist