Understanding political radicalization: The two-pyramids model

Am Psychol. 2017 Apr;72(3):205-216. doi: 10.1037/amp0000062.

Abstract

This article reviews some of the milestones of thinking about political radicalization, as scholars and security officials struggled after 9/11 to discern the precursors of terrorist violence. Recent criticism of the concept of radicalization has been recognized, leading to a 2-pyramids model that responds to the criticism by separating radicalization of opinion from radicalization of action. Security and research implications of the 2-pyramids model are briefly described, ending with a call for more attention to emotional experience in understanding both radicalization of opinion and radicalization of action. (PsycINFO Database Record

MeSH terms

  • Emotions
  • Humans
  • Models, Psychological*
  • Politics*
  • September 11 Terrorist Attacks / psychology
  • Sociological Factors
  • Terrorism / psychology*