Becoming an Ex-Extremist: Stopping the Hate and Embracing a New Identity

Domestic radicalization to violent extremism has evolved into the most urgent terrorism threat facing the West. We contribute to research on extremism and role exit processes by demonstrating how identity transformations are linked to the pursuit and avoidance of possible future selves motivated by...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: DeMichele, Matthew (Author)
Contributors: Simi, Pete ; Blee, Kathleen M. 1953- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2025
In: The British journal of criminology
Year: 2025, Volume: 65, Issue: 2, Pages: 282-297
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Keywords:
Terrorism
identity change
Extremism
Disengagement
Deradicalization
Qualitative Research

MARC

LEADER 00000naa a22000002c 4500
001 1925354601
003 DE-627
005 20250512152629.0
007 cr uuu---uuuuu
008 250512s2025 xx |||||o 00| ||eng c
024 7 |a 10.1093/bjc/azae035  |2 doi 
035 |a (DE-627)1925354601 
035 |a (DE-599)KXP1925354601 
040 |a DE-627  |b ger  |c DE-627  |e rda 
041 |a eng 
084 |a 2,1  |2 ssgn 
100 1 |a DeMichele, Matthew  |e VerfasserIn  |0 (DE-588)1047229889  |0 (DE-627)77787802X  |0 (DE-576)304970174  |4 aut 
109 |a DeMichele, Matthew  |a Michele, Matthew de 
245 1 0 |a Becoming an Ex-Extremist: Stopping the Hate and Embracing a New Identity 
264 1 |c 2025 
336 |a Text  |b txt  |2 rdacontent 
337 |a Computermedien  |b c  |2 rdamedia 
338 |a Online-Ressource  |b cr  |2 rdacarrier 
520 |a Domestic radicalization to violent extremism has evolved into the most urgent terrorism threat facing the West. We contribute to research on extremism and role exit processes by demonstrating how identity transformations are linked to the pursuit and avoidance of possible future selves motivated by negative emotional states of shame, embarrassment and guilt. The data are drawn from in-depth life history interviews with 47 former members of US domestic violent extremist groups. The interviewees, who had detailed accounts of childhood maltreatment, abuse and neglect, were vulnerable and looking for belonging, acceptance and significance in their lives. The interviews revealed that the extremist role identity conflicted with other emerging aspects of their selves (e.g. parent, spouse) that created an interaction between negative emotional states (i.e. shame, guilt and embarrassment) and doubts about their group involvement. The internal conflicts and emotional awareness opened individuals to embrace non-extremist versions of themselves. These processes diverted their extremist trajectory by creating doubts, engaging in anticipatory socialization and avoiding a feared possible self. 
650 4 |a Terrorism 
650 4 |a identity change 
650 4 |a Extremism 
650 4 |a Disengagement 
650 4 |a Deradicalization 
650 4 |a Qualitative Research 
700 1 |a Simi, Pete  |e VerfasserIn  |0 (DE-588)140949135  |0 (DE-627)70383858X  |0 (DE-576)321496663  |4 aut 
700 1 |a Blee, Kathleen M.  |d 1953-  |e VerfasserIn  |0 (DE-588)170214559  |0 (DE-627)06026943X  |0 (DE-576)168601931  |4 aut 
773 0 8 |i Enthalten in  |t The British journal of criminology  |d Oxford : Oxford Univ. Press, 1960  |g 65(2025), 2, Seite 282-297  |h Online-Ressource  |w (DE-627)271175559  |w (DE-600)1478955-3  |w (DE-576)079718906  |x 1464-3529  |7 nnas 
773 1 8 |g volume:65  |g year:2025  |g number:2  |g pages:282-297 
856 4 0 |u https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azae035  |x Resolving-System  |z lizenzpflichtig  |3 Volltext 
951 |a AR 
ELC |a 1 
LOK |0 000 xxxxxcx a22 zn 4500 
LOK |0 001 4723613463 
LOK |0 003 DE-627 
LOK |0 004 1925354601 
LOK |0 005 20250512150906 
LOK |0 008 250512||||||||||||||||ger||||||| 
LOK |0 040   |a DE-21-110  |c DE-627  |d DE-21-110 
LOK |0 092   |o n 
LOK |0 852   |a DE-21-110 
LOK |0 852 1  |9 00 
LOK |0 935   |a krzo 
ORI |a WA-MARC-krimdoka001.raw