The Behavioral Influence Stairway Model (BISM): a framework for managing terrorist crisis situations?

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss the application of crisis negotiation to individuals with a number of challenging traits, characteristics and behaviors, extending its application to terrorism. Such crisis situations include roof‐top protests and barricades, and any context that may include the need to re‐direct individuals in crisis, including terrorist activities such as hostage‐taking. This paper will review the history of crisis negotiation and consider different approaches to its management. It will then discuss the relationship‐building model of crisis negotiation of the Behavioral Influence Stairway Model. This is an updated variation of the Behavioral Change Stairway Model, which was first used in the wider community, and further applied here to traits and behaviors which may potentially be found in terrorist perpetrators. The application of this model to individuals who present with such traits and behaviors will be discussed, along with approaches to enhance and maximize negotiation processes with such individuals. This paper presents applications of the model and approaches to negotiation in terrorist situations.

Keywords:

• crisis negotiation
• behavioral influence stairway model
• perpetrator characteristics
• terrorism