Key Issues and Research Agendas in Lone Wolf Terrorism

Spaaij, Ramón; Hamm, Mark S.

doi:10.1080/1057610x.2014.986979

Cited by 59 publications

(40 citation statements)

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“…Comparative research into Lone Actor terrorism mostly focuses on distinguishing Lone Actors from those who undergo radicalization in a group setting ( Nesser, 2012 ; Spaaij & Hamm, 2015 ), or comparing Lone Actor terrorists with other violent individuals, such as school attackers ( McCauley et al, 2013 ). Some scholars have comparatively examined so-called bias crimes (crimes against social minorities) and “routine” crimes (for an overview, see Gruenewald & Pridemore, 2012 ).…”

Section: Prior Studies On Lone Actor Terrorismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The term “Lone Actor” is thus a contested construct. It has been argued that it is a term created by the media and by radical political actors themselves, rather than a social science concept or a legal term ( Spaaij & Hamm, 2015 ). Furthermore, even though within terrorism studies, Lone Actors are considered as a subset of a wider group of terrorists, prior studies show that a distinction between terrorist ideology, criminal intent, or personal motivation is sometimes difficult to draw ( Spaaij, 2011 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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European Lone Actor Terrorists Versus “Common” Homicide Offenders: An Empirical Analysis

et al. 2017

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The term “Lone Actor” has been applied to a variety of violent individuals who are thought to act out of ideological motivations using terrorist tactics. So far, much of the research is U.S.-based. There is an empirical vacuum of Lone Actor violence in Europe and a conceptual gap in how these acts may be understood as a variation of homicidal behavior. We examine and compare characteristics of European Lone Actors to European “common” homicide offenders. Lone Actor terrorists constitute a heterogeneous group that is similar to homicide offenders but differs in terms of substance use, weapon use, and target. These findings may be understood in the context of instrumental versus expressive aims.

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Section: Prior Studies On Lone Actor Terrorismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

European Lone Actor Terrorists Versus “Common” Homicide Offenders: An Empirical Analysis

et al. 2017

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“…It is necessary to acknowledge the potential limitations of relying on secondary source data, over primary sources, such as direct assessments. Open‐source data have been criticized for having the potential to be unreliable, subject to bias, and incomplete (Spaaij & Hamm, ). Yet the nature of terrorists as a subject of study has required researchers to rely on secondary data collection methodologies to progress.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analyzing person‐exposure patterns in lone‐actor terrorism

Clemmow

Marchment

Gill

2019

Criminology & Public Policy

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Research Summary:The lone-actor terrorist population can be extremely heterogeneous and difficult to detect. Intelligence is vital to countering this threat. We devise a typology of person-exposure patterns (PEPs) that could serve as a framework for intelligence gathering and threat assessment. We use cluster analysis and a risk analysis framework (RAF) to identify relations among three components: propensity, situation, and network.The results of the analysis reveal four PEPs: solitary, susceptible, situational, and selection. The solitary PEP lacks common indicators of a propensity to pursue terrorist action. The susceptible PEP reveals cognitive susceptibility, manifesting as mental illness, to be a key factor in the emergence of a terrorist propensity. The situational PEP demonstrates how situational stressors may act as warnings of acceleration toward violent action. Lastly, the selection PEP demonstrates higher frequencies of leakage and antecedent violent behaviors.Policy Implications: Our findings have two key policy implications. First, given the multifinality of terrorism risk indicators, we suggest a move toward a structuredprofessional judgement approach to the risk analysis of lone-actor terrorists. Second, we present the PEP typology as a framework for intelligence gathering. Existing frameworks are predominantly focused on mobilization 452 CLEMMOW ET AL.indicators. We suggest expanding data collection to include propensity and situational indicators, as operationalized here, and using the PEP typology to inform decisions about the emergence of the motivation to commit an attack. To do so, it is necessary to pursue a multiagency approach to intelligence gathering.

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“…43 With the rise of the internet it is argued that it is in fact impossible to exist without others having some kind of an influence, and as such the concept of 'loneness' itself needs serious reconsideration. 44 Moreover, loneness may be voluntary, whereby the individual has removed themselves from others (e.g. because they perceive others as not radical enough, or as not acting where required) or involuntary (e.g.…”

Section: Limitations and Challenges For Research In This Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing the Different Behavioral Outcomes of Extremism: A Comparison of Violent and Non-Violent Extremists, Acting Alone or as Part of a Group

Knight

Keatley

Woodward

2019

Studies in Conflict & Terrorism

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Presented here is an exploratory study that compared four kinds of extremists (violent lone, nonviolent lone, violent group member, and nonviolent group member). Thematic analysis of 40 case studies identified five key themes and a number of subthemes that comprised a range of underlying variables. Comparisons of the four groups showed that in many ways violent and nonviolent extremists acting alone or as part of a group do not differ. However there were some variables that distinguished between groups. Findings are discussed in terms of implications for countering and preventing violent extremism.

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Key Issues and Research Agendas in Lone Wolf Terrorism

Cited by 59 publications

References 0 publications

European Lone Actor Terrorists Versus “Common” Homicide Offenders: An Empirical Analysis

European Lone Actor Terrorists Versus “Common” Homicide Offenders: An Empirical Analysis

Analyzing person‐exposure patterns in lone‐actor terrorism

Comparing the Different Behavioral Outcomes of Extremism: A Comparison of Violent and Non-Violent Extremists, Acting Alone or as Part of a Group

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