The Social and Political Psychology of Violent Radicalism

The Social and Political Psychology of Violent Radicalism
Author: Serge Guimond
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 132
Release: 2023-12-29
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 3031462548

This book provides a unique perspective on the perpetrators and victims of political violence, using original evidence from the deadly attacks perpetrated in Paris in 2015. Much of the current literature focuses on the perpetrators of such violence. This volume, however, offers a deeper analysis by focusing not only on the terrorists themselves but on understanding the reactions of the general population affected by such lethal acts. It provides a more detailed view of the opponents of terrorism, namely us, and explains how our own reactions can increase or decrease, the potential for political violence. Part I introduces the most relevant theories within social psychology and political psychology that are used to understand terrorism; Part II examines empirical evidence from a French context; and Part III discusses policy implications, with the prevention of political violence as a long-term goal. Finally, the volume offers a blueprint for a more appropriate conceptualization of terrorism as arising out of intergroup conflict suggesting ways to build a resilient society. This book will be of interest to researchers, teachers and students across social psychology, sociology, political psychology and political science.

Radicalization and Political Radicalism

Radicalization and Political Radicalism
Author: Nadiia Kudriashova
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
Total Pages: 13
Release: 2019-03-13
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 3668897441

Essay from the year 2018 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: Peace and Conflict Studies, Security, grade: MA, University of Oregon, language: English, abstract: The present work focuses on radicalization and political radicalism. In modern conditions, political radicalism is an integral component of the political life of many countries, manifested in the activities, value orientations of the ruling and opposition elites, as well as ordinary citizens. Being a multifaceted phenomenon, in the era of globalization, it is transformed and modified, assumes various types and forms adequate to new civilizational challenges and risks. Historical and modern events eloquently testify that radical methods of solving socio-political problems, especially those that are actualizing in the conditions of crises, are often used by the authorities even during periods of stable development. In the situation of the current economic crisis, which became structural and went beyond the economic sphere, the radial moods of the actors in the political process, as well as the activities of various radical and extremist organizations, became much more active. Political extremism and radicalism, as its variety, are among the most ambiguous and multifaceted problems of modern political science. In recent years, researchers have been actively investigating the causes, essence, and content of this phenomenon. Modern political realities necessitate the analysis of manifestations of radicalism burdened with negative meanings. In this context, it is necessary to analyze the concepts of "radicalism" and "extremism," reveal their similarities and differences. The similarity consists in rejecting compromises, demanding a radical reorganization of existing social and political institutions, and as soon as possible. The difference between these concepts is relative, conditional. Radicalism, as a phenomenon, is more a kind of political ideology, justifying radical actions. Extremism is a concept that characterizes mainly political practice.

The Psychology of Extremism

The Psychology of Extremism
Author: Katherine V. Aumer
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 124
Release: 2021-04-25
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 3030596982

This volume examines the psychological factors, environments, and social factors contributing to identification with extremist identities and ideologies. Incorporating recent findings on interpersonal relationships, emotions, and social identity, the book aims to improve understanding of what makes individuals vulnerable to extremism. It concludes with a discussion of the intricacies of identification with extremist groups, a proposal for de-radicalization, and a call for awareness as a means to resist polarization. Chapters highlight interdisciplinary research into specific concepts and behaviors that can lead to extremism, addressing topics such as: ● Homogamy, tribalism and the desire to belong ● Shared hatred in strong group identities ● The impact of emotional contagion on personal relationships ● Dehumanization across political party lines An in-depth exploration of an increasingly divisive modern issue, The Psychology of Extremism is an essential resource for researchers and students across social psychology, sociology, political psychology, and political science.

The Psychology of Extremism

The Psychology of Extremism
Author: Arie W. Kruglanski
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 294
Release: 2021-09-12
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1000454002

This ground-breaking book introduces a new model of extremism that emphasizes motivational imbalance among individual needs, offering a unique multidisciplinary exploration of extreme behaviors relating to terrorism, dieting, sports, love, addictions, and money. In popular discourse, the term ‘extremism’ has come to mean largely ‘violent extremism’, but this is just one of many different types: extreme sports, extreme diets, political and religious extremisms, extreme self-interest, extreme attitudes, extreme devotion to a cause, addiction to substances, or behavioral addiction (to videogames, shopping, pornography, sex, and work). But do these descriptions have a deeper meaning? Do they reveal a common psychological dynamic? Or are they merely a mode of things about phenomena that have little in common? Bringing together world-leading psychologists from a variety of disciplines, the book uses a brand-new model to examine different expressions of extremism, at different levels of analysis (brain, hormones, and behavior), in order not merely to describe such behaviors but also to explain their occurrence, and the conditions under which they may be likely to emerge. Also including suggestions for ways in which extremism could be counteracted, and to what extent it appears to be harmful to individuals and society, this is essential reading for students and academics in psychology and behavioral sciences.

The Psychology of Radicalization and Terrorism

The Psychology of Radicalization and Terrorism
Author: Willem Koomen
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 285
Release: 2015-11-19
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 131767703X

Terrorism and radicalization have a long history, but in recent years their prominence has been a particularly conspicuous and influential feature of the global political landscape. This important book presents an overview of the processes involved in radicalization and terrorism, and introduces a systematic framework which captures the most crucial individual and social factors involved in determining these processes. The authors begin by considering the possible role of prejudice, economic deprivation, and discrimination, and the cognitive responses and emotions they can trigger. Such responses tend in turn to increase the importance of group membership, and promote intergroup differentiation and polarization, a process which is often accompanied by more pronounced and more extreme religious and ideological beliefs. The book also describes the role of cultural values and social climate in processes of radicalization, as well as the role of personality factors and demographics such as age and marital status. As for violent terrorist action itself, this final most radical stage is elicited by a number of group factors such as groupthink, isolation, and leadership. Certain cognitive mechanisms – for example, dehumanizing the target and attributing responsibility elsewhere – can also provide excuses for violence. The book explores why some groups turn to violence and others don’t, and it addresses processes of disengagement, deradicalization programs, and other methods used to inhibit the spread of radicalization and terrorism. The Psychology of Radicalization and Terrorism takes a unique and systematic approach to a vital topic, integrating knowledge from diverse literatures, and using social psychology as a basis for comprehending human behaviour. It will be essential reading for students and researchers from all disciplines seeking a greater understanding of terrorism and violent political conflict in all its forms.

Psychological Perspectives on Radicalization

Psychological Perspectives on Radicalization
Author: Allard R. Feddes
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 220
Release: 2020-05-26
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1351714538

This innovative book examines radicalization from new psychological perspectives by examining the different typologies of radicalizing individuals, what makes individuals resilient against radicalization, and events that can trigger individuals to radicalize or to deradicalize. What is radicalization? Which psychological processes or events in a person's life play a role in radicalization? What determines whether a personal is resilient against radicalization, and is deradicalization something that we can achieve? This book goes beyond previous publications on this topic by identifying concrete key events in the process of radicalization, providing a useful theoretical framework that summarizes the current state-of-the-art research on radicalization and deradicalization. A model is presented in which a distinction is made between different levels of radicalization and deradicalization, with key underlying psychological needs discussed: the need for identity, justice, significance, and sensation. The authors also describe what makes people resilient against messages from "the outside world" when they belong to an extremist group and discuss observable events which may "trigger" a person to radicalize (further) or to deradicalize. Including real-world examples and clear guidelines for interventions aimed at prevention of radicalization and stimulation of deradicalization, this is essential reading for policy makers, researchers, practitioners, and students interested in this crucial societal issue.

Exclusion and Extremism

Exclusion and Extremism
Author: Michaela Pfundmair
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 323
Release: 2024-05-23
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1009408151

The question of how people develop extreme, radical or even terrorist ideas and behaviors is one which is attracting more and more scientific attention. There are many factors that contribute to such extremist attitudes. This book focuses on one specific contributor which has received only little attention in the past: social exclusion. Recent research shows that being kept apart from others, physically or emotionally, is a powerful event in people's lives. The chapters provide an overview of the existing body of research for the first time and explore the exclusion-extremism link in depth by gathering together a seminal collection of essays, written by leading social psychologists. Timely, novel, and highly instructive, this volume delivers an expert understanding of psychological underpinnings of such behavior and offer inspiration for future research.

Exclusion and Extremism

Exclusion and Extremism
Author: Kipling D. Williams
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 323
Release: 2024-05-23
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1009408135

Explore social exclusion's link to extremism and find prevention and deradicalization strategies through evidence-based research.

Terrorism, Political Violence, and Extremism

Terrorism, Political Violence, and Extremism
Author: Chris E. Stout Ph.D.
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2023-12-28
Genre: Political Science
ISBN:

A must-read for psychologists-clinical and academic alike-as well as for political scientists, policy analysts, and others working in the realm of terrorism, political violence, and extremism, this book carefully explores the theories, observations, and approaches of authorities in the field and addresses how and why terrorism has perpetuated for so long. Terrorism is now a regular topic in the news rather than a rare or an unusual occurrence. The possibility of violent terrorist acts constitutes a legitimate safety concern, regardless of one's country of residence: no longer can anyone assume that their location is beyond the reach or outside the targeted areas of any number of terrorist groups. Terrorism, Political Violence, and Extremism: New Psychology to Understand, Face, and Defuse the Threat examines why the number of terrorist attacks has greatly increased since the attacks on September 11, 2001 occurred, including well-known events such as the Madrid train bombings (2004), the London Underground bombings of 2005, the San Bernardino and Paris attacks (2015), and countless others, particularly in the Middle East and Africa. Beyond providing a careful and up-to-date assessment of the state of terrorism worldwide, which includes coverage of the religious and political origins of terrorist activities, the book pinpoints less-recognized and rarely studied aspects of terrorism, such as terrorism hysteria, sexuality, shame, and rape. The diverse perspectives within this unified volume are relevant to a breadth of subject areas, such as international psychology, military psychology, political science, political theory, religious studies, military theory, peace studies, military sciences, law enforcement, public health, sociology, anthropology, social work, law, and feminist theory.

The Psychology of Political Extremism

The Psychology of Political Extremism
Author: Gabrielle Rifkind
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 110
Release: 2020-11-25
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 100010656X

Recent terrorist attacks have left the UK (and Europe) genuinely at sea as to how to respond to these distressing events. There are the predictable interpretations with politicians on the right talking about counter-terrorism, harsher punishments and tightening up on the internet, whilst on the political left there is talk about blaming foreign wars. All this analysis is relevant, but insufficient. Politicians are not talking enough about why so many young people are sufficiently angry and alienated that they are prepared to be seduced by the toxic and poisonous ideology of Islamic State. The Psychology of Political Extremism examines both the politics and the psychology, as well as what motivates people to behave in ways that are so disturbing. Freud is the hook as the founding father of the talking cure. A radical and subversive theorist in his time, he claimed that mankind was influenced more by the inner workings of the mind and internal conflicts than by rational thought.