Abstract
Research has identified sociocultural challenges and threat, reflected in one’s life attachment (an experience of contextual justice, certainty, and reliability), to be a primary motivator for radicalization. Furthermore, individual differences (e.g., personality traits, need for certainty) may provide information about who might be at risk for radicalization. Although some studies have focused on group-based identities and radicalization, less is known about how different identity processing styles (e.g., diffuse-avoidant, normative, and informational) are linked with radicalization. In Study 1, we examined how identity styles can moderate the association between life attachment and various aspects of extremism in a majority sample of American adults (N = 497). In preregistered Study 2, we extended our findings by testing the model in a minority sample of Muslims in the UK (N = 478). We found that insecure life attachment was significantly and positively associated with radicalization, and this association was strengthened by the normative (Studies 1 & 2) and the diffuse-avoidant identity style (Study 2). The informational identity style weakened the association between insecure life attachment and radicalization (Study 1) but strengthened the association between insecure life attachment and violent behavioral intentions (Study 2). Results are discussed in relation to identity processes in late modernity, suggesting that personal identity development may emerge as an important factor in the multifaceted and complex process of radicalization.
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Tidsskrift | Self and Identity |
| Vol/bind | 22 |
| Nummer | 4 |
| Sider (fra-til) | 507-532 |
| Antal sider | 26 |
| ISSN | 1529-8868 |
| DOI | |
| Status | Udgivet - 2023 |