The Social and Political Psychology of Violent Radicalism (Peace Psychology Book Series)

This book provides a unique perspective on the perpetrators and victims of political violence, using original evidence from the deadly attacks perpetrated in Paris in 2015. Much of the current literature focuses on the perpetrators of such violence. This volume, however, offers a deeper analysis by focusing not only on the terrorists themselves but on understanding the reactions of the general population affected by such lethal acts. It provides a more detailed view of the opponents of terrorism, namely us, and explains how our own reactions can increase or decrease, the potential for political violence. Part I introduces the most relevant theories within social psychology and political psychology that are used to understand terrorism; Part II examines empirical evidence from a French context; and Part III discusses policy implications, with the prevention of political violence as a long-term goal. Finally, the volume offers a blueprint for a more appropriate conceptualization of terrorism as arising out of intergroup conflict suggesting ways to build a resilient society. This book will be of interest to researchers, teachers and students across social psychology, sociology, political psychology and political science. Introduction: Facing the Truth 6 What Comes Next? 13 Acknowledgments 16 Contents 17 About the Authors 19 Part I: Theory: Intergroup Conflicts and Political Violence 20 Chapter 1: The Terrorist’s Motivation: The Psychology of Religious Extremism 21 The 3-N Model of Radicalization: The Quest for Significance 21 Terror Management Theory 25 Chapter 2: Theories of Intergroup Relations: Vicious Cycles Between “Us” and “Them” 28 The Social Identity Perspective 29 A New Understanding of Social Groups 30 Relative Deprivation Theory: Grievances and Collective Action 40 Theoretical and Methodological Problems in the Study of Relative Deprivation 45 Chapter 3: Politics and Domestic Terrorism: Building a Diverse Democracy 47 Muslim-Western Relations Across 15 Countries 50 National Models of Integration 54 Part II: Research: The Stairway to Radicalization and the Collective Response to Terrorism 63 Chapter 4: Political Violence as a Last Resort: The Role of Group-Based Relative Deprivation 64 When and Why Are Muslims Likely to Support Political Violence? 64 The French Secularism Policy and Islamist Radicalism 70 Chapter 5: Paris 2015: The Psychological Effects of Terrorist Attacks 82 The Conservative Shift Hypothesis 83 Establishing the Causal Impact of the Charlie Hebdo Attacks 85 The Effects of the Terrorist Attacks on Discrimination Against Muslims 90 Chapter 6: “I Am Charlie”: How Four Million People Stood Up against Terrorism 93 Prejudice, Intergroup Bias, and the Charlie Hebdo Attacks 95 January 11, 2015: Who Were the Marchers? 102 Part III: Conclusion: Policy Implications 105 Chapter 7: Blueprint for a Long-Term Goal: Prevention of Political Violence 106 Deradicalization Programs 107 The Primary Prevention of Political Violence: Developing an Effective National Policy 109 What Should Be Done to Implement an Effective Policy? 113 References 118 Index 131