Chapter 3

Psychology of Radicalization and Lone Wolf Terrorism

Carlo Lazzari*, Abdul Nusair and Marco Rabottini

Abstract

A radicalization is a worldwide event that impacts multiple nations and is present in various historical contexts. In the study of radicalization of persons who work autonomously from more radicalized communities, psychologists may support it. As there is no unique identity, these single actors or lone wolves are more difficult to spot because they behave as self-determined people. The current chapter's emphasis is on the mechanisms and methods of radicalization in adults, including children and women’s radicalization. In the study of radicalization, there is little probability of direct contact with the target community (terrorists, lone wolves, and radical groups) that is much of the time distant, dangerous, and shielded from media attention. In this instance, the application of ethnographic studies also through Internet outlets has yielded adequate results. Focus is also given to the growth of radicalized ideology and how radicalization can be viewed in terms of the lone wolf terrorist’s cognitive and social progress. The writers often discuss how a radicalized leader can exploit the insecurity of individual citizens to radicalize them. Besides, as a logical fallacy and a symptom of dualistic thinking, the writers researched radicalized thought. Therefore, in their propensity to radicalize, a combination of perceptual, mental, and psychological stimuli is analyzed.

Total Pages: 47-69 (23)

Purchase Chapter  Book Details