Where do ‘mixed, unclear, and unstable' ideologies come from? A data-driven answer centred on the incelosphere

Brace, Lewys; Baele, Stéphane; Ging, Debbie

doi:10.1080/18335330.2023.2226667

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…jihadist and extreme right wing), other less clear, incoherent belief systems also exist. Comprising a mix of ideas and personal frustrations, the “salad bar” belief system (Alcoke, 2019), is a common characteristic of lone actors, and it has been suggested that “mixed, unclear and unstable” (MUU) ideologies (Brace et al , 2023) are disproportionately represented in under 20-year-old (Home Office, 2022). This demonstrates the complexity and challenge of those seeking to understand radicalisation, extremism and terrorism.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The role of the internet, including social media, is key, especially for young people (Danby and Davidson, 2019; Danby et al , 2018); it can provide fake news, incite violence, provide information and resources to facilitate a person’s capability, opportunity and motivation to conduct extremist-related violence. The proliferation of online spaces, platform and technologies have led to a technological context that affords the spread of a range of belief systems, including MUU ideologies, that support, justify and enable extremist-related violence (Brace et al , 2023; Hall, 2021). The internet can also bring people together to form a sense of community and belonging, which facilitates social cohesion, belonging and identity, and, under certain circumstances, radicalisation to violence.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The age of extremism: a crime script analysis of violent and nonviolent extremists according to age of first extremist act

Knight,

Maroño,

Keatley

2023

JCP

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Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare violent and non-violent extremists in terms of their age when they first perpetrate an extremist act, and to understand how this relates to other factors underlying extremist behaviours. While the end goal of many extremists may be functionally similar, the pathways into extremism vary, and the literature has demonstrated that a “one-size-fits-all” explanation does not exist. Motivational drivers are complex and dynamic; therefore, attempting to identify a terrorist “profile” has limited applied efficacy. Design/methodology/approach This study applied a temporal approach (“crime script analysis” or CSA) to identify, map and compare the sequential stages (or “scenes”) in the life histories of violent and non-violent extremists who have committed acts of extremism across different age groups. Crime scripts comprising mainly qualitative data for 40 male extremists (20 violent, 20 non-violent “cases”) were developed, and CSA was conducted according to the age at which they committed their first extremist offence. Findings Results demonstrated key temporal, developmental differences between the pathways of extremists who commit their first offence at different ages. One key difference was that for both the violent and non-violent extremists, those under 30 used the internet as a main means of joining networks and spreading information, whereas the over 30s made more personal, community links. Originality/value This research can aid identification of potential environmental triggers and potential increased susceptibility to triggers across certain age groups.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%