A large body of research may explain what leads people to adopt radical beliefs. Researchers conducted a meta-analysis -- meaning they combined data from separate studies -- to identify risk factors that can lead to radicalization. After reviewing more than 100 factors, they found a small number that increase the risk of radicalization:
• People who had been threatened, dehumanized, and perceived that they were discriminated against.
• Machoism, anger, and a general negative attitude.
• Men were more likely to become radicalized than women.
• A job loss, a criminal history, current or past military experience, and thrill-seeking behaviors.
• Right-wing extremists were more likely to become radicalized if they were socially alienated and held strong religious beliefs.
• Left-wing extremists were more likely to become radicalized if they were on welfare and if they experienced moral neuralization*.
• Islamist extremists are more likely to become radicalized if they had feelings of anger and moral neuralization*, and if they have higher levels of education (People of Islamic background were less likely to become radicalized if they had immigrated to a non-Islamic country).
(*Moral Neuralization is a condition when people with normal moral beliefs convince themselves there are no other options available, and therefore accept their actions.)
Researchers also found a single factor that most strongly protected people from becoming radicalized: The value of following the law, or of being a law-abiding citizen.
Source: This Psychology Today Article
25 Jan 2022, 2:02 pm
