About this Research Topic
In a world in which polarization of views is all too apparent, and where such extremism may sometimes be expressed in violent and terrorist acts, the understanding of radicalization is of crucial importance. Elucidation of the psychological processes involved in radicalization in different cultural contexts may help to reduce the risk of radicalization and to facilitate the converse process of deradicalization. It may also provide implications concerning the transition from extreme views to violent actions and may contribute to the development of strategies that promote conflict resolution. This Research Topic will aim to foster understanding of radicalization by bringing together, and providing an integrative perspective on, contributions from different theoretical perspectives, cultural settings, and contexts in relation to a diverse range of types of extreme views.
There have been numerous attempts to conceptualize radicalization in terms of psychological processes or socio-cultural influences. This work has been supported by research on radicalized individuals in different parts of the world. The goal of the Research Topic will be to attempt to identify commonalities and possibilities for cross-fertilization between these different perspectives, and similarities between the processes of radicalization in groups that might at first sight seem to hold very contrasting views. It will also aim to increase understanding of the escalation from holding extreme views to supporting or engaging in violent extremism; to highlight implications for prevention of radicalization and for deradicalization programs; and to identify useful methods and research directions for the further investigation of radicalization.
Contributions are welcomed on any aspect of the development, maintenance, or reduction of extreme views and of their escalation to violent actions. These may include conceptual analyses, reviews, reports of original quantitative or qualitative research, case reports, community case studies, presentations of methods, or overviews of policy and/or practice. We particularly wish to encourage contributions on a diverse range of radicalized groups, not necessarily ones typically associated with violent extremism or terrorist behaviors, in a range of different cultural settings. Contributors should, where possible, highlight implications for deradicalization or the prevention of radicalization. They should also consider both the strengths and the challenges of the approaches that they present.
There have been numerous attempts to conceptualize radicalization in terms of psychological processes or socio-cultural influences. This work has been supported by research on radicalized individuals in different parts of the world. The goal of the Research Topic will be to attempt to identify commonalities and possibilities for cross-fertilization between these different perspectives, and similarities between the processes of radicalization in groups that might at first sight seem to hold very contrasting views. It will also aim to increase understanding of the escalation from holding extreme views to supporting or engaging in violent extremism; to highlight implications for prevention of radicalization and for deradicalization programs; and to identify useful methods and research directions for the further investigation of radicalization.
Contributions are welcomed on any aspect of the development, maintenance, or reduction of extreme views and of their escalation to violent actions. These may include conceptual analyses, reviews, reports of original quantitative or qualitative research, case reports, community case studies, presentations of methods, or overviews of policy and/or practice. We particularly wish to encourage contributions on a diverse range of radicalized groups, not necessarily ones typically associated with violent extremism or terrorist behaviors, in a range of different cultural settings. Contributors should, where possible, highlight implications for deradicalization or the prevention of radicalization. They should also consider both the strengths and the challenges of the approaches that they present.
Keywords: radicalization, deradicalization, terrorism, extremism, conflict resolution
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
