Psychological Assessment and Interventions for Individuals Linked to Radicalization and Lone Wolf Terrorism

By Bentham Science Publishers

In recent times, the phenomenon of lone wolf terrorism has been observed with the social assumption that a radicalized individual is only guided by personal, social, and ethnic reasons to commit an extremist act. Nevertheless, there is still much to understand about this phenomenon and improve the methods of investigation or psychiatric interventions. This handbook attempts to cover gaps in understanding the psychiatric aspects of radicalization and the phenomenon of lone-wolf terrorism. Edited by expert clinical psychologists, the contributors have taken both a qualitative and theoretical route to analyze the phenomenon, prompted by their clinical experience with mental health professionals, being in contact with radicalized people living in local towns and prisons.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers
• Release date: Sep 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9789814998338

Book preview

Table of Contents

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FOREWORD

PREFACE

List of Contributors

General and Theoretical Perspectives on the Psychology of Radicalization and Lone Wolf Terrorism

Abstract

introduction

RADICALIZATION AND LONE WOLF TERRORISM IN A HISTORICAL CONTEXT

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK OF ANALYSIS

THE ROLE OF PREJUDICES

THE EXISTENTIAL POSITIONS THAT BRING TO TERRORISM

RADICALIZATION AS A STATE OR TRAIT

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF RADICALIZATION AND TERRORISM

DELPHI METHOD, FOCUS GROUPS, AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

THE PSYCHIATRIC-POLITICAL DEBATE: THE CASE OF Anders Behring Breivik

THE ROLE OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION

Conflict of Interest

Acknowledgments

REFERENCES

Lone Wolf Radicalization and Terrorism: Social and Psychological Analysis Reveal a Diffusion Wider than Expected

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Lone Wolf, Radicalization And Anomic Societies

Political Radicalization

Religious Radicalization

Radicalization Within The Family

Corporate Radicalization And Crimes

Strategies of Radicalization in The Lone wolf

The Strategies of Fear And Terrorism

The Methods For Radicalization

Violence and Threats

Adulation, Propaganda, and Folk Culture

Nature or Nurture in Radicalization

Suicide Terrorism

Conclusions

CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

REFERENCES

Psychology of Radicalization and Lone Wolf Terrorism

Abstract

Introduction

Definition of Radicalization and Lone Wolf

Ethnographic Research Methods in Radicalization Studies

Psychology of Radicalized Thought

Leadership and Followership

Sociopsychology of Radicalization

The Radicalization Path

The Radicalization of Children

Radicalized Women

Discussion

Recommendations

CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

References

Phenomenology and Social Psychology of Lone Wolf Radicalization and Terrorism

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Subjects and Methods

Using Delphi and Focus Groups

Using the Sign Test for Panel Agreement

Results

The Diagnosis of Radicalized Emotions and Behaviors

Emotions

Behaviors

Prejudicial Thoughts

Radicalized Affiliations

Weapons

Being a Hero

Discussion

CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

References

Preventing Radicalization and Lone Wolf Terrorism: Theoretical Models of Prediction in Psychology and Social Sciences

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results and Discussion

Scenario No 1

Scenario No 2

Scenario No 3

Dealing with time series

Models in Radical Diffusion

Conclusions

CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

References

Psychological Assessment and Interventions in Radicalized Individuals

Abstract

Introduction

Psychology of Radicalization

De-Radicalization

Conclusions

CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

REFERENCES

Philosophical, Epistemological and Ontological Bases in the Study of Psychology of Lone Wolf Radicalization and Terrorism

Abstract

Epistemology and Philosophy of Knowledge in Psychology of Terrorism

More on Epistemology of Scientific Knowledge in The Study of Radicalization

What Certainties About The World?

Philosophy of Research on Radicalization

What Is True Science?

The Function of Popper and Kuhn in Research

Ethical Aspects in Preventing Radicalization and Terrorism

Deontological and Kantian Ethics

Guiding Ethical Principles in Psychological Studies of Radicalization

Research Methodology in Radicalization and lone wolf Phenomena

Research in Social Psychology of Radicalization

Paradigms in Research of Radicalization And Terrorism

Critical Realism in Social Sciences

Critical Realism Strength and Weakness in Social Analysis

Critical Realism Application and Improvement

Social Constructionism and Social Analysis of Radicalization and Terrorism

Theories in Social Analysis of Radicalization

CONCLUSIONS

Radicalization Assessment Psychological Test (RAPT-1)

CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

References

Psychological Assessment and Interventions for Individuals Linked to Radicalization and Lone Wolf Terrorism

Edited by

Carlo Lazzari

International Centre of Healthcare and Medical Education

Bristol

United Kingdom

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FOREWORD

The issue of radicalization and terrorism has never been more important than it is today. Everyone has an opinion, and the lack of a coherent and holistic approach potentially puts us all at risk. This book looks at this crucial topic in a systematic and structured way. It shines the light of psychiatry into its many dark and poorly understood recesses, and it is my honor to write the Foreword to this exciting book. The Introduction covers some useful definitions and sets the scene. Chapter 1 explores the social and cultural aspects of radicalization, which then provides a solid foundation for the rest of the book. There are two chapters that explore the role of psychiatry in much greater depth, including a psychiatric analysis of radicalization and, importantly, the role of other mental health professionals, two areas that have been very much neglected in this critical debate. In addition, although men have featured very prominently in discussions about radicalization, Chapter 2 very thoughtfully explores these issues in both women and children. Chapter 3 reviews the phenomenology of lone wolf radicalization and, in particular, digs deeper and helpfully into areas such as emotions, thoughts, and beliefs relevant to this discussion. The final chapter pulls together ideas for future research and makes some sensible suggestions for moving this whole area forward. This is a succinct and meticulous book that tackles this topic in a logical and well-thought-out way. I am also extremely pleased that the book is grounded in clinical psychiatry and seeks to understand the issue of radicalization through clinical analysis, research, and evidence-based data. The focus is very much on attempting to understand the lone wolf within their personal and social context, and this approach, in my view, is much more likely to be a productive way to find answers that help individuals, their families, and society more generally. The book brings together theory and practice and offers genuine solutions. The overall ‘feel’ of this book is one of expert knowledge within a holistic framework. The book will appeal to a wide readership, including professionals working in the field, clinicians, managers, and policymakers who want to refresh and update their knowledge as well as challenge their thinking about this subject.

Stephen Curran

University of Huddersfield

United Kingdom

PREFACE

The current book aims to cover a gap in understanding psychiatric aspects of radicalization and the lone wolf phenomenon. Since recently, literature and research have treated the topic under the social assumption that a radicalized individual is only guided by personal, social, and ethnic reasons to commit a radicalized act. We took a different route to analyze the phenomenon, prompted by our clinical experience of mental health professionals working in the territory, being in contact with radicalized people, and living in our towns and problematic suburbs or prison. We discovered that psychiatry and psychology could provide additional insight into individual radicalization, called the lone wolf phenomenon. As in any other country, our personnel and researchers are from different ethnic backgrounds, giving higher depth to radicalization analysis. We witnessed the multifold aspects that generate political, religious, social, and organizational radicalization in our lands. As experts in mental health, all the researchers who contributed to the current book had regional and international experience in radicalization and lone wolf terrorism. This strong background has allowed us to examine the psychology of radicalization and lone wolf in its multifold aspects, meeting individuals who were radicalized or potential victims of it. We extrapolated our findings to interpret them from the psychiatric perspective, when possible, and expand our observations and make inferences at a broader, interpersonal, social, regional, or global level.

The Introduction is a free exploration of the phenomenon of radicalization and lone wolf terrorism as linked to humankind’s history. As stated in the chapter, any act of perpetrating maltreatment to others with the simple aim of having victims recognized as adversaries of the own ideology or group should be scrutinized as signifying an act of radicalization.

Chapter 1 starts to give a broad social and cultural perspective of the phenomenon of radicalization and terrorism. We tried to break the traditional interpretations to observe individuals and society under different aspects. We used Delphi groups to interpret social events linked to radicalization. We could identify radicalization and lone wolf phenomena in any social endeavor liberating the definition from boundaries related to the war, conflicts, or inter-ethnic genocides. With a socio-psychiatric diagnosis, we could identify that radicalization is a way of behaving and believing that it is diffuse. Simultaneously, a radicalized act could have different presentations that are more distributed than those classically described in the literature.

Chapter 2 continues in the psychiatric analysis of radicalization and lone wolf terrorism, including children and women. We adopted an ethnographic approach of Internet sources to explore the topic and study how individuals become radicalized, the cognitive routes to accept terrorist ideas, and the impact of radicalization on children and women. How important is a leader in radicalizing the masses? How crucial are interventions of de-radicalization during child development? How do women become radicalized? We tried to answer these questions.

Chapter 3 explores the phenomenology and social psychology of lone wolf radicalization. We tried to identify emotions, behaviors, prejudicial thoughts, and beliefs that could indicate a process of radicalization in the individual.

Chapter 4 explores the instruments of the prevention of radicalization. Using an actuarial, social, psychiatric, and mathematical model, we aimed to deliver the information that some events linked to lone wolf radicalization could be explored by mathematical models and could be somehow prevented.

Chapter 5 represents a further exploration of the psychiatric analysis of lone wolf individuals. Mental-health professionals can help identify and prevent radicalization by robust assessment of people at risk of radicalization. Also, community mental-health practitioners are privileged to detect social signs that indicate a radicalized entourage that might favor potential victims of it, including children.

Chapter 6 explores the methodological basis for the use of psychology in research on radicalization and terrorism. It has a philosophical cut, although it has been created to provide the ground of the assumptions or truth delivered into the book. Besides, the chapter gives some indication of what grounds psychiatric research on radicalization was conducted.

The Appendices report the instrument frequently used by the authors during the assessment of lone-wolves or to guide Delphi-group discussions.

Carlo Lazzari

International Centre of Healthcare and Medical Education

Bristol

United Kingdom

List of Contributors

General and Theoretical Perspectives on the Psychology of Radicalization and Lone Wolf Terrorism

Carlo Lazzari¹, *, Abdul Nusair², Marco Rabottini¹

¹ Department Psychiatry, International Centre of Healthcare and Medical Education, Bristol, United Kingdom

² Department of Psychiatry, South-West Yorkshire Trust, Wakefield, United Kingdom

Abstract

Radicalization is a global event affecting different countries and is present in different historical contexts. A social and psychological account could only reduce the impact