The Making of Violent Extremists. Issue 1 (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kruglanski, Arie; Jasko, Katarzyna; Webber, David; Chernikova, Marina; Molinario, Erica
• Is Part Of: Review of general psychology. Volume 22:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 107
• Page End: 120
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: extremism -- violent extremism -- significance quest -- terrorism; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150
• DOI: 10.1037/gpr0000144
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1089-2680

Abstract

The authors outline a psychological model of extremism and analyze violent extremism as a special case of it. Their significance quest theory identifies 3 general drivers of violent extremism: need, narrative, and network. The theory asserts that the need for personal significance—the desire to matter, to "be someone, " and to have meaning in one's life—is the dominant need that underlies violent extremism. A violence-justifying ideological narrative contributes to radicalization by delineating a collective cause that can earn an individual the significance and meaning he or she desires, as well as an appropriate means with which to pursue that cause. Lastly, a network of people who subscribe to that narrative leads individuals to perceive the violence-justifying narrative as cognitively accessible and morally acceptable. The authors describe empirical evidence for the theory, which was tested on a wide variety of samples across different cultures and geopolitical contexts. They go on to offer a general road map to guide efforts to counter and prevent violent extremism in its various forms.