Is Violent Extremism a Family Affair? Analyzing Pathways to Violent Extremism Across Ideologies in the U.S.

• In Event: Poster Session II

Abstract

As terrorism continues to pose national security threats, pathways to radicalization and violent extremism available to alienated individuals vary. However, the extent that radicalized individuals will engage in violent or non-violent extremism remains to be researched. This study analyzes the influence of family and peer pathway to violent extremism of radicalized individuals across four ideologies – Islamist, far-right, far-left and single issue. Through a sociological and psychological lens, I apply the social learning theory to analyze the family and peer influence. Data was collected and analyzed from the Profiles of Individual Radicalization in the United States (NC-START). Results show that radicalized individuals with radicalized family members are more likely to engage in violent extremism. Across ideologies, the Islamist group is more likely to engage in violence than the far-right, far-left, and single issue ideologies. While the focus of researchers and practitioners is heavily on the Islamist group, the far-right group is also likely to engage in violent extremism. Findings are significant for the implementation of effective counterterrorism and counter violent extremism programs, with the focus on the influence of radicalized family members on recruitment and violent extremism.

Author

• Vivian Fiona Guetler, West Virginia University