Observer sensitivity and early radicalization to violence among young people in Germany

Personal sensitivity to injustice from either a victim or an observer perspective shapes political attitudes and actions. Yet, little is known about the link between justice sensitivity, particularly from an observer perspective, and early radicalization. We investigate the hypotheses that victim an...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Jahnke, Sara (Author)
Contributors: Schröder, Carl Philipp ; Goede, Laura-Romina ; Lehmann, Lena ; Hauff, Luisa ; Beelmann, Andreas
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2020
In: Social justice research
Year: 2020, Volume: 33, Issue: 3, Pages: 308-330
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
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Keywords:
Extremism
Gewalt
Jugend
Justice sensitivity
Political Violence
Politische Einstellung
Radicalization
Radikalisierung
Radikalismus
Youth
political orientations
Description
Summary:Personal sensitivity to injustice from either a victim or an observer perspective shapes political attitudes and actions. Yet, little is known about the link between justice sensitivity, particularly from an observer perspective, and early radicalization. We investigate the hypotheses that victim and observer sensitivity are differentially linked to political orientation and early radicalization outcomes among adolescents and young adults. We assessed political orientations, justice sensitivity, and early radicalization (as attitudes or intentions regarding illegal/violent political strategies) among 303 young activists (Study 1) and 3715 ninth graders (Study 2). Across both studies, observer sensitivity was linked to stronger left-wing orientations, while victim sensitivity predicted stronger right-wing orientations. Yet, findings with respect to early radicalization outcomes were mixed: Among young adult activists in Study 1, observer (but not victim) justice sensitivity positively predicted both legal activism intentions and radicalization. Among ninth graders in Study 2, on the other hand, general and right-wing radicalization were negatively associated with observer sensitivity and positively associated with victim sensitivity. The results indicate that the link between observer sensitivity and early radicalization can be positive or negative depending on the age of the sample and the political context. We discuss potential reasons for the conflicting results, as well as limitations and implications for future research
Item Description:Literaturverzeichnis: Seite 327-330
ISSN:1573-6725
DOI:10.1007/s11211-020-00351-y