Publication
Citizens, Extremists, Terrorists: Comparing Radicalised Individuals with the General Population
In this article, Bart Schuurman and Sarah Louise Carthy explore the distinctions between radicalised individuals and the general population, and further differentiate between those who engage in terrorist violence and those who do not.
- Author
- Bart Schuurman, Sarah L. Carthy
- Date
- 06 March 2025
- Links
- Read the full article here
The research reveals several significant differences between radicalised individuals and the general population. Radicalised individuals are disproportionately male, more likely to experience a lack of perceived political representation, and tend to have higher rates of unemployment. Adverse childhood experiences and a communicated desire to harm others are also more prevalent in this group. Additionally, radicalised individuals are more likely to have a history of violent criminal behaviour.
While the study found that mental illness rates are broadly comparable between radicalised individuals and the general population, those within the radicalised group who do experience mental health issues tend to suffer from specific illnesses at slightly above-average rates. The study underscores the importance of targeted interventions that address specific risk factors, rather than relying on general assumptions, to prevent individuals from becoming extremists and extremists from resorting to terrorist violence.