Tactics, Techniques and Procedures
Could you change a terrorist’s mind? Interrupt an attack in the making?
This project, a collaboration of researchers at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Penn State University, aims to see if counterterrorism workers could disrupt malevolent creativity involved in planning and carrying out terrorist attacks.
Objective/Purpose
This project applies the concepts of malevolent creativity and design fixation to counterterrorism efforts. There are two main objectives. First, the team aims to develop interventions to direct bad actors toward actions that DHS is prepared to counter. Second, the team will develop and deploy training on creative thinking and creative problem solving to help improve the capability of the DHS workforce to anticipate, detect, and deter novel attacks.
Methodology
This project will use controlled experiments to design and test new interventions to induce fixation and limit the creativity of new ideas. The team will also conduct a training needs assessment (e.g., interviews, focus groups, surveys) to inform the development of half-day training sessions.
Investigators
Samuel Hunter, Professor of Psychology (University of Nebraska at Omaha)
Scarlett Miller, Affiliate Assistant Professor of Information Sciences and Technology (Penn State University)