Dedicated to the Cause: The Role of Identity in Initiating, Sustaining and Diminishing Violent Extremism.

Ferguson, Neil and McAuley, James W (2020) Dedicated to the Cause: The Role of Identity in Initiating, Sustaining and Diminishing Violent Extremism. European Psychologist. ISSN 1016-9040 (Accepted for Publication)

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Abstract

The threat of terrorism and rise of extremist movements across the globe pose some of the greatest challenges the world currently faces. While there have been serious conceptual and methodological problems within the psychological study of terrorism, the nascent field has advanced, and the evidence, theories and models have developed in their sophistication. The current article explores the role of social or collective identity in instigating, propagating and diminishing engagement in violent extremism. Specifically examining how when a fundamental need to belong is challenged through threats and uncertainty this can lead to the people joining entitative groups which can fuse personal and social identities. These identities can be further amplified through ingroup and outgroup processes leading to involvement in violent extremism. The paper also explores how identity can mediate the stress of this extremist lifestyle and sustain engagement in violence. In order to illustrate these processes, the article draws on interviews with Northern Irish paramilitaries. Finally, the paper explores the role of identity in moderating violent extremism, and provides suggestions of approaches to promote desistence from violent extremism.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information and Comments:	This is the author's version of an article that has been accepted for publication in European Psychologist. The final, published version will be available subsequently at https://econtent.hogrefe.com/toc/epp/current
Faculty / Department:	Faculty of Human and Digital Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User:	Neil Ferguson
Date Deposited:	30 Mar 2020 12:49
Last Modified:	30 Mar 2020 12:49
URI:	https://hira.hope.ac.uk/id/eprint/3043

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