Deradicalization in History and Psychology: A Selective Review of the Literature

Authors: Peter Suedfeld (University of British Columbia); Lindsy Grunert (University of British Columbia); and Bradford Morrison (University of British Columbia)

This publication was released as part of the SMA project, “CENTCOM Regional and Population Dynamics in the Central Region.”  For more information regarding this project, please click here.

Summary

Governments continue to pour money into deradicalization programs with the goal of rehabilitating violent extremists. Are there lessons in psychological theory and research, and in historical examples, from which current-day programs could benefit? In this paper we highlight lessons that are consistently found throughout a selective review of the psychology literature, give a brief example of these lessons in the context of four case studies, and suggest a way forward that includes these “soft” approaches to rehabilitation and preventive measures that combat the structural and psychological influence of extremist thought that still too often culminates in extremist behavior. Four important points are emphasized for future programs: the need for clear operational definitions differentiating between disengagement and deradicalization, a need for unbiased definition and empirical measurement of success, the need to incorporate relevant cultural and social factors in analysis and planning, and the need to pay attention to the cognitive processes of radicalized individuals and of participants of deradicalization programs.

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This publication was released as part of the SMA project, “CENTCOM Regional and Population Dynamics in the Central Region.”  For more information regarding this project, please click here.