Radicalized Identity Styles:  Investigating Sociocultural Challenges, Identity Styles, and Extremism

Simon Ozer; Milan Obaidi; Seth Schwartz

doi:10.1080/15298868.2022.2131618

Radicalized Identity Styles: Investigating Sociocultural Challenges, Identity Styles, and Extremism

Simon Ozer, Milan Obaidi, Seth Schwartz

Department of Psychology and Behavioural Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review

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Abstract

Research has identified sociocultural challenges (life attachment) to be a primary motivator for radicalization. While individual differences may provide information about who might be at risk for radicalization, little is known about how different identity processing styles are linked with radicalization. In two studies (N = 975), we examined how identity styles can moderate the association between life attachment and various aspects of extremism. We found that insecure life attachment was significantly and positively associated with radicalization, and this association was strengthened by the normative and the diffuse-avoidant identity style. 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 process of radicalization.

Original language	English
Journal	Self and Identity
Volume	22
Issue	4
Pages (from-to)	507-532
Number of pages	26
ISSN	1529-8868
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2022.2131618
Publication status	Published - 2023

Keywords

life attachment
personal identity
identity styles
radicalization
extremism

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10.1080/15298868.2022.2131618

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title = "Radicalized Identity Styles: Investigating Sociocultural Challenges, Identity Styles, and Extremism",

abstract = "Research has identified sociocultural challenges (life attachment) to be a primary motivator for radicalization. While individual differences may provide information about who might be at risk for radicalization, little is known about how different identity processing styles are linked with radicalization. In two studies (N = 975), we examined how identity styles can moderate the association between life attachment and various aspects of extremism. We found that insecure life attachment was significantly and positively associated with radicalization, and this association was strengthened by the normative and the diffuse-avoidant identity style. 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 process of radicalization.",

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T2 - Investigating Sociocultural Challenges, Identity Styles, and Extremism

AU - Ozer, Simon

AU - Obaidi, Milan

AU - Schwartz, Seth

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Research has identified sociocultural challenges (life attachment) to be a primary motivator for radicalization. While individual differences may provide information about who might be at risk for radicalization, little is known about how different identity processing styles are linked with radicalization. In two studies (N = 975), we examined how identity styles can moderate the association between life attachment and various aspects of extremism. We found that insecure life attachment was significantly and positively associated with radicalization, and this association was strengthened by the normative and the diffuse-avoidant identity style. 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 process of radicalization.

AB - Research has identified sociocultural challenges (life attachment) to be a primary motivator for radicalization. While individual differences may provide information about who might be at risk for radicalization, little is known about how different identity processing styles are linked with radicalization. In two studies (N = 975), we examined how identity styles can moderate the association between life attachment and various aspects of extremism. We found that insecure life attachment was significantly and positively associated with radicalization, and this association was strengthened by the normative and the diffuse-avoidant identity style. 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 process of radicalization.

KW - life attachment

KW - personal identity

KW - identity styles

KW - radicalization

KW - extremism

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DO - 10.1080/15298868.2022.2131618

M3 - Journal article

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EP - 532

JO - Self and Identity

JF - Self and Identity

IS - 4

ER -

Radicalized Identity Styles: Investigating Sociocultural Challenges, Identity Styles, and Extremism

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Keywords

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