Toward a Constructivist Model of Radicalization and Deradicalization: A Conceptual and Methodological Proposal

Abstract

This article identifies common features of existing models of radicalization and deradicalization, such as the transition from uncertainty to certainty, before integrating these in a model based upon personal construct theory. It is proposed that the personal construct concepts of validation and invalidation are particularly relevant to processes of identity change such as radicalization and deradicalization. Thus, it is argued that radicalization occurs when major invalidation of an individual’s construing is followed by the development of a new radicalized view of the world that provides a turning point in his or her sense of identity and a more structured and certain view of the world. There is likely to be seeking out of validation for this view in interactions with others who share similar views or by extorting evidence for the individual’s radical constructions. These constructions are likely to involve extreme negative views of another group, by contrast to members of which, and possibly by taking extreme action against this group, the individual’s new self-construction may become further defined. These same processes can be seen to operate in deradicalization, and it will therefore be argued that the model has implications for the development of deradicalization programs. A further advantage of the model is that it has an associated personal construct methodology, particularly repertory grid technique, that may be used to investigate processes of radicalization and deradicalization. As illustrations of such investigations, results will be summarized from a repertory grid study of Salafist Muslims in Tunisia, some of whom had returned from fighting in Syria, and an analysis of the writings of the Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik. The findings of these investigations are argued to be consistent with the personal construct model of radicalization and deradicalization.

Pivotal mental states

“…The PiMS model could also be applied to processes of ideological radicalization and deradicalization. According to one constructivist model of radicalization, self-invalidation and uncertainty lead to a creative reconstruing of the self, followed by a tightening of beliefs around a newfound identity ( Feixas and Winter, 2019 ). This theory is consistent with the ‘Decentring’ model of religious experience ( McNamara, 2009 ), the social defeat hypothesis of schizophrenia ( Selten et al, 2016 ) and our proposal that psychological flexibility often gives way to psychological rigidity (e.g.…”

Cycles of Construing in Radicalization and Deradicalization: A Study of Salafist Muslims

“…Since, in Kelly's (1969, p. 276) view, a person's construct system "gives him identity," the process of reconstruing that is involved in radicalization may be viewed as one of identity change. As proposed by Winter and Feixas (2018), the personal construct model of radicalization consists of the following stages (the relative importance of which may vary in different individuals):…”

Nurses’ Experiences of Care at Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Teams: A case study research

“…The Constructivism theory (Winter & Feixas, 2019) increased understanding of mental health nursing care of individuals and relatives treated at this CRHTT and offered a framework to understand mental health and its implications. The results of our study allowed the authors to create a model (Figure 1) based on a constructivist point of view including the constructs that nurses have around their patients' care in the context of CRHTTs and constructs of the hospital settings based on the literature review (Keogh et al, 2015).…”