Countering Terrorist Narratives
Assessing the Efficacy and Mechanisms of Change in Counter-narrative Strategies
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4877443 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sarah L Carthy (0000-0001-6421-1905, Leiden University, corresponding author), Kiran M Sarma (0000-0002-2743-4162, National University of Ireland) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 569-593 |
| Publication date | 2023-04-03 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Terrorism and Political Violence (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0954-6553 • E-ISSN: 1556-1836 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/09546553.2021.1962308 |
| OpenAlex | W3197364793 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
This study presents the findings of a laboratory-based experiment testing hypothesised processes implicated in the prevention of violent radicalisation through counter-narratives. The central aims of the study were to contribute to counter-narrative theory, whilst highlighting the value of experimental methodologies that can be deployed in this area of scientific enquiry. Two counter-narrative strategies were evaluated against a dominant terrorist narrative. Considering the role of cognition in the processing of narrative-related information, participants’ (n = 150) Cognitive Reflection and Need for Cognition were measured before they were randomly assigned to a narrative that legitimized terrorist violence, one of two counter-narratives, or a control. Returning autonomy to the target by having them actively counter terrorist rhetoric themselves was found to be more effective than offering generic counter-narratives. Notwithstanding the challenges and limitations associated with measuring violent radicalization-related constructs, the findings of the experiment demonstrate the extent to which individuals vary in their susceptibility to violent, terrorist narratives, as well as attempts to counter them
Autonomy · Cognition · Literature · Narrative · Political science · Radicalization · Terrorism · Law · Neuroscience · Psychology · Social Psychology · Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence
| Citations per year | 1.33 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2023 - 2025 (3) |
| Highly cited | No |