Associations between Close Relationships with Radicalized Individuals and Violent radicalization

has gained vast amounts of media attention over the last few years as it is the main ideological background of the most modern-day terrorist attacks in the United States (Chermak & Gruenewald, 2015). According to Gøtzsche-Astrup, individual protective factors from radicalization are a predictable worldview, a sense of meaning and basic security (2018, p. 98). In addition, negative reflections within the field of radicalization studies identify highly racialized practices of Muslim profiling to be apparent and therefore, the research on white-supremacist and anti-government extremism might lead to underestimations of their presence (McCauley, 2012). This research will focus on two far-right extremist categories, white supremacism, and anti-government extremism. Hence, this research aims to study associations between close relationships with radicalized individuals and violent radicalization in the United States within these two groups. The theoretical framework for this research is...Show morehas gained vast amounts of media attention over the last few years as it is the main ideological background of the most modern-day terrorist attacks in the United States (Chermak & Gruenewald, 2015). According to Gøtzsche-Astrup, individual protective factors from radicalization are a predictable worldview, a sense of meaning and basic security (2018, p. 98). In addition, negative reflections within the field of radicalization studies identify highly racialized practices of Muslim profiling to be apparent and therefore, the research on white-supremacist and anti-government extremism might lead to underestimations of their presence (McCauley, 2012). This research will focus on two far-right extremist categories, white supremacism, and anti-government extremism. Hence, this research aims to study associations between close relationships with radicalized individuals and violent radicalization in the United States within these two groups. The theoretical framework for this research is based on the Significance Quest Theory, which describes a framework for understanding the involvement in violent extremism (Kruglanski et al., 2018). The elements in Significance Quest theory are then explained through the broader context of Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory which describes development through the multi-faceted setting one is in. The variables used in this research are based upon the developmental influence that factors in the microsystem (EST) have on the individual. The data used to conduct this research are provided by the Profiles of Individual Radicalization in the United States (PIRUS) dataset which includes anonymous information on the individual level regarding the attributes, radicalization processes and backgrounds of more than 3200 non-violent and violent extremists (Profiles of Individual Radicalization in the United States (PIRUS) | START.umd.edu, n.d.). In addition, the far-left, far-right, single-issue and Islamists ideologies in the period from 1995 until 2021 are covered in the dataset (Profiles of Individual Radicalization in the United States (PIRUS) | START.umd.edu, n.d.). The scientific significance of the current research is to expand on the wider body of knowledge on right-wing extremists sub groups as their prevalence in society has become more apparent and their, often more violent, deeds stipulate the importance of understanding characteristics which could be predictive of or protective from far-right violent extremism (Chermak & Gruenewald, 2015). In addition, knowledge on the differences between far-right movements can also aid the understanding of potential risk factors for involvement in particular right-wing groups. The contribution of this research to the broader field of counterterrorism could, when empirically supported by other studies, eventually lead to policy changes in favor of tackling violent extremism as a societal problem. The current research will first provide the reader with a literature review and a theoretical framework. Subsequently, the research design and methodological approach will be discussed, followed by the results. The main point and reflection will be discussed in the discussion and conclusion.Show less

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Associations between Close Relationships with Radicalized Individuals and Violent radicalization