Generalists or Specialists? A Comparison of Domestic Violence Across Ideologically Motivated Offenders in the United States

• In Event: Patterns of De/Radicalization: Criminological Approaches to Demystifying Terrorism

Abstract

Hirschi & Gottfredson (2001) claim that, unlike regular offenders, ideologically motivated perpetrators do not have low levels of self-control because these crimes require planning. We should therefore find that ideologically motivated offenders do not have a history of domestic violence. Instead, their violent acts should be limited to ideologically motivated incidents and/or incidents that further their cause. To investigate if ideological extremists are generalists or specialists we sample far-right, jihadist and eco/animal rights violent and financial crime perpetrators and honor killing offenders from the US Extremist Crime Database. We expect to find different histories of abuse across the various movements.

Authors

• Joshua D. Freilich, The Graduate Center, John Jay College / CUNY

• Steven M. Chermak, Michigan State University

• Brittany E. Hayes, Sam Houston State University

• Tri Keah Henry, Sam Houston State University