Patterns of Thinking in Militant Extremism
Abstract
Recurrent features of the thinking pattern (or mind-set) of violent militant extremists are delineated, discussed, and related to previous research and theory. We examined extremist groups from a diverse range of continents, cultures, and political and religious orientations. We compared statements by (and, to some degree, statements about) these groups and formulated 16 themes common to the militant-extremist mind-set. Among these themes are perceptions of a crisis involving violations of posited sacred values, along with justifications for the use of violence to remediate such problems. There are indications that such themes are not infrequent in the general population. For example, research participants failed to strongly disassociate themselves from the sentiments and framings found in the fanatical items, which undercuts the notion that militant-extremist thinking represents bizarre ideation. Militant-extremist thinking appears to represent a major, aggressive form of fanaticism a...ffected by both dispositional and situational factors. Key themes in this thinking pattern might fit together to construct a potentially compelling narrative, which may be a key part of the ideological appeal of salient militant-extremist groups.
Source:
Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2009, 4, 3, 256-271Publisher:
- Sage Publications Ltd, London
DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-6924.2009.01123.x
ISSN: 1745-6916
PubMed: 26158962
WoS: 000266031300004
Scopus: 2-s2.0-84993736085
Institution/Community
Psihologija / PsychologyTY - JOUR AU - Saucier, Gerard AU - Akers, Laura Geuy AU - Shen-Miller, Seraphine AU - Knežević, Goran AU - Stankov, Lazar PY - 2009 UR - http://reff.f.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/895 AB - Recurrent features of the thinking pattern (or mind-set) of violent militant extremists are delineated, discussed, and related to previous research and theory. We examined extremist groups from a diverse range of continents, cultures, and political and religious orientations. We compared statements by (and, to some degree, statements about) these groups and formulated 16 themes common to the militant-extremist mind-set. Among these themes are perceptions of a crisis involving violations of posited sacred values, along with justifications for the use of violence to remediate such problems. There are indications that such themes are not infrequent in the general population. For example, research participants failed to strongly disassociate themselves from the sentiments and framings found in the fanatical items, which undercuts the notion that militant-extremist thinking represents bizarre ideation. Militant-extremist thinking appears to represent a major, aggressive form of fanaticism affected by both dispositional and situational factors. Key themes in this thinking pattern might fit together to construct a potentially compelling narrative, which may be a key part of the ideological appeal of salient militant-extremist groups. PB - Sage Publications Ltd, London T2 - Perspectives on Psychological Science T1 - Patterns of Thinking in Militant Extremism EP - 271 IS - 3 SP - 256 VL - 4 DO - 10.1111/j.1745-6924.2009.01123.x ER -
@article{ author = "Saucier, Gerard and Akers, Laura Geuy and Shen-Miller, Seraphine and Knežević, Goran and Stankov, Lazar", year = "2009", abstract = "Recurrent features of the thinking pattern (or mind-set) of violent militant extremists are delineated, discussed, and related to previous research and theory. We examined extremist groups from a diverse range of continents, cultures, and political and religious orientations. We compared statements by (and, to some degree, statements about) these groups and formulated 16 themes common to the militant-extremist mind-set. Among these themes are perceptions of a crisis involving violations of posited sacred values, along with justifications for the use of violence to remediate such problems. There are indications that such themes are not infrequent in the general population. For example, research participants failed to strongly disassociate themselves from the sentiments and framings found in the fanatical items, which undercuts the notion that militant-extremist thinking represents bizarre ideation. Militant-extremist thinking appears to represent a major, aggressive form of fanaticism affected by both dispositional and situational factors. Key themes in this thinking pattern might fit together to construct a potentially compelling narrative, which may be a key part of the ideological appeal of salient militant-extremist groups.", publisher = "Sage Publications Ltd, London", journal = "Perspectives on Psychological Science", title = "Patterns of Thinking in Militant Extremism", pages = "271-256", number = "3", volume = "4", doi = "10.1111/j.1745-6924.2009.01123.x" }
Saucier, G., Akers, L. G., Shen-Miller, S., Knežević, G.,& Stankov, L.. (2009). Patterns of Thinking in Militant Extremism. in Perspectives on Psychological Science Sage Publications Ltd, London., 4(3), 256-271. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6924.2009.01123.x
Saucier G, Akers LG, Shen-Miller S, Knežević G, Stankov L. Patterns of Thinking in Militant Extremism. in Perspectives on Psychological Science. 2009;4(3):256-271. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6924.2009.01123.x .
Saucier, Gerard, Akers, Laura Geuy, Shen-Miller, Seraphine, Knežević, Goran, Stankov, Lazar, "Patterns of Thinking in Militant Extremism" in Perspectives on Psychological Science, 4, no. 3 (2009):256-271, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6924.2009.01123.x . .