Biomarkers and Motivation: Measuring State and Trait Based Individual Differences in Responses to Extremist Content

• In Event: EXTREME-Inventory: An Experimental Paradigm Exploring Behavioral & Psychological Processes Underpinning the Effect of Extreme Content Online

Abstract

Despite the prevalence of theories of “online radicalization”, the specific psychological effect that exposure to extremist-related material online has remains largely untested. This paper applies Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) to examine the effect of individual differences in trait-level motivational characteristics on attitudinal shifts towards, or away from, political mobilization following exposure to extremist content online. Additionally, this study utilizes continuous cardiovascular physiological data measured during an experimental design in which participants were randomly assigned one of two short vignettes to frame a social media-based behavioral task. This paper will discuss the impact of both individual differences in trait-level motivational characteristics, as well as state-level physiological responses to extremist-related content on willingness to engage with the material, and any subsequent shifts in attitudes or behaviors related to political mobilization (measured via the Activism and Radicalism Intentions Scale). Overall, this paper seeks to further understanding of the cognitive, behavioral, and physiological reactions that occur after exposure to extremist-related content while also providing an empirical framework for future research to continue to explore the complex relationship between an extreme stimulus, and an extremist behavioral response.

Authors

• Neil D. Shortland, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• Presley McGarry, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• Jill Portnoy, University of Massachusetts Lowell