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From Profiles to Pathways and Roots to Routes: Perspectives from Psychology on Radicalization into Terrorism

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  • John Horgan

Abstract

Attempts to profile terrorists have failed resoundingly, leaving behind a poor (and unfair) impression of the potential for a sound psychological contribution to understanding the terrorist. However, recent work in the area has delivered promising and exciting starting points for a conceptual development in understanding the psychological process across all levels of terrorist involvement. Involvement in terrorism is a complex psychosocial process that comprises at least three seemingly distinct phases: becoming involved, being involved—synonymous with engaging in unambiguous terrorist activity—and disengaging (which may or may not result in subsequent de-radicalization). A critical implication of these distinctions is the recognition that each of them may contain unique, or phase-specific, implications for counterterrorism. An argument is made for greater consideration of the disengagement phase with a clearer role for psychological research to inform and enhance practical counterterrorism operations.

Suggested Citation

  • John Horgan, 2008. "From Profiles to Pathways and Roots to Routes: Perspectives from Psychology on Radicalization into Terrorism," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 618(1), pages 80-94, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:618:y:2008:i:1:p:80-94
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716208317539
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    Cited by:

    1. James Lewis & Sarah Marsden & Anna Stefaniak & James Hewitt, 2025. "PROTOCOL: Non‐criminal justice interventions for countering cognitive and behavioural radicalisation amongst children and adolescents: A systematic review of effectiveness and implementation," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 21(1), March.
    2. Michelle Sydes & Lorelei Hine & Angela Higginson & Laura Dugan & Lorraine Mazerolle, 2022. "PROTOCOL: Criminal justice interventions for preventing terrorism and radicalisation: An evidence and gap map," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(3), September.
    3. James Lewis & Sarah Marsden & Adrian Cherney & Martine Zeuthen & Jocelyn J. Bélanger & Anastasiia Zubareva & Jürgen Brandsch & Mauro Lubrano, 2023. "PROTOCOL: Case management interventions seeking to counter radicalisation to violence: A systematic review of tools and approaches," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(1), March.
    4. James Lewis & Sarah Marsden & Adrian Cherney & Martine Zeuthen & Lotta Rahlf & Chloe Squires & Anne Peterscheck, 2024. "Case management interventions seeking to counter radicalisation to violence and related forms of violence: A systematic review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(2), June.
    5. Michelle Sydes & Lorelei Hine & Angela Higginson & James McEwan & Laura Dugan & Lorraine Mazerolle, 2023. "Criminal justice interventions for preventing radicalisation, violent extremism and terrorism: An evidence and gap map," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(4), December.

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