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A multilevel social neuroscience perspective on radicalization and terrorism
Jean Decety1,2, Robert Pape3, Clifford I Workman1
1a Department of Psychology , University of Chicago , Chicago , IL , USA.
Social Neuroscience
|November 2, 2017
Summary
Understanding political violence requires integrating multiple scientific fields. A social neuroscience approach examining neural mechanisms and psychological processes can reveal hidden drivers of radicalization and extreme violence.
Area of Science:
- Social Neuroscience
- Political Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Traditional methods for profiling individuals involved in political violence have largely failed.
- Individual and situational factors alone do not fully explain radicalization processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose an integrated, multilevel approach to understanding radicalization and political violence.
- To identify latent drivers of radicalization by examining interdisciplinary perspectives.
Main Methods:
- Integrating insights from evolutionary theory, psychology (social, personality, cognitive), political science, and neuroscience.
- Characterizing structural-functional relationships between neural mechanisms and psychological processes.
- Analyzing group dynamics, interpersonal processes, values, narratives, and micro-sociological factors.
Main Results:
- Latent drivers of radicalization and extreme political violence may exist beyond individual-level analysis.
- An integrative, multilevel approach is necessary for a comprehensive understanding.
Conclusions:
- Social neuroscience offers a framework to investigate the antecedents of radicalization and support for extreme violence.
- Understanding political violence necessitates a holistic view encompassing neural, psychological, and social factors.
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