A Review of Psychological and Social Factors Influencing Individuals’ Attraction to Extremist Groups

Fatemeh  Esmaeili; Soheila Jafari; Armin Safaian

doi:10.63053/ijhes.210

Authors

Fatemeh Esmaeili Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Bojnord Branch, Islamic Azad University
Soheila Jafari PhD in Educational Psychology
Armin Safaian 3. B.A. Student of Psychology, Bojnord Branch, Islamic Azad University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63053/ijhes.210

Keywords:

Extremism, Attraction, Psychological Factors, Social Factors, Vulnerability

Abstract

The recruitment and attraction of individuals to extremist groups is one of the major challenges facing contemporary societies. In recent decades, technological developments and changes in communication patterns have added new dimensions to this phenomenon. This study aimed to identify and analyze the psychological and social factors influencing individuals’ inclination toward extremist groups. A systematic review method was employed, drawing on scientific literature published between 2018 and 2026. The findings indicate that psychological factors—including individual vulnerabilities, the need for identity and belonging, mental health difficulties, personality characteristics, and the need for certainty—and social factors—including economic deprivation, discrimination and social exclusion, family influences, digital and online environments, and peer networks—play significant roles in the process of attraction to extremist groups. Furthermore, the interaction patterns among these factors suggest that the convergence of multiple risk factors substantially increases the likelihood of individuals being attracted to extremist groups. By comparing the findings of the present study with the existing body of research, the article demonstrates that explanatory models based solely on a single factor are insufficient to provide a comprehensive account of the phenomenon of attraction to extremist groups. Finally, based on the findings, strategies for prevention and intervention are proposed.

References

1. Ali, Y., Ullah khan, A. (2025). A framework for disrupting extremist recruitment in a developing country: Mapping pathways and prioritizing interventions. Journal of Policy Modeling, 47(6), 1180–1200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpolmod.2025.09.002

2. Almohammad, A. (2018). The Islamic State's Online Propaganda: A Comparative Analysis. Routledge.

3. Bandura, A. (1990). Selective Activation and Disengagement of Moral Control. Journal of Social Issues, 46(1), 27–.64

4. Borum, R. (2011). Radicalisation into violent extremism I: A review of social science theories. Journal of Strategic Security, 4(4), 7–.63

5. Campell, H. (2025, July 16). Terrorgram block is a welcome step towards countering violent extremism. ASPI Strategist. https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/terrorgram-block-is-awelcome-step-towards-countering-violent-extremism/

6. Cherney, A., Putra, E. I., Putera, S. V., Erikha, F., & Magrie, F. M. (2021). The push and pull of radicalisation and extremist disengagement: The application of criminological theory to Indonesia and Australian cases of radicalisation. Journal of Criminology, 54(4), 407–.424

7. Chuang, Y., & D'Orsogna, M. R. (2025). A review of mechanistic and data-driven models of terrorism and radicalization. arXiv. https://arxiv.org/abs/1903.08485

8. CISA NEWSLETTER. (2025, July 30). From Preaching to Posting: The Psychology of Violent Extremist Recruitment in West Africa. CISA NEWSLETTER.

9. https://cisanewsletter.com/index.php/from-preaching-to-posting-the-psychology-of-violentextremist-recruitment-in-west-africa/

10. Cloudy, J. (2024). Vulnerable Online: Identifying Motivational and Personality Factors Related to Individual Susceptibility to Online Extremists' Recruitment Messages (Doctoral dissertation). Texas Tech University. https://hdl.handle.net/2346/100523

11. Colvin, E., & Campion, K. (2026). "Vulnerable and easily influenced": examining the vulnerabilities and susceptibilities associated with the engagement of young Australians in extremism. Safer Communities, 25(1), 13–31. https://doi.org/10.1108/SC-09-2024-0060

12. David, D. I. (2025). Violent Extremism and the Push and Pull Factors of Youth Radicalization in Northeast Nigeria. Journal of Developing Societies. https://doi.org/10.1177/0169796X251341780

13. Dorigo, G., & Tobler, W. (1983). Push-pull migration laws. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 73(1), 1–17.

14. Gurr, T. R. (1970). Why Men Rebel. Princeton University Press.

15. Heath-Kelly, C., & Shanaah, S. (2025). The Long History of Vulnerability: Prevention, Crime, and Security. In The Politics of Preventing Violent Extremism: Liberal Democracy, Civil Society, and Countering Radicalization (pp. 51–77). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/9780191999811.003.0003

16. Kidwai, S. (2026, January 2). How Gen-Z is changing the violent extremist landscape online. ThePrint. https://theprint.in/opinion/gen-z-extremist-online-landscape/2817230/

17. Kinnvall, C., & Capelos, T. (2021). The psychology of extremism: An introduction. In C. Kinnvall & T. Capelos (Eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Global Political Psychology (pp. 1– 24). Palgrave Macmillan.

18. Kruglanski, A. W., & Webster, D. M. (1996). Motivated closing of the mind: "Seizing" and "freezing." Psychological Review, 103(2), 263–283.

19. Lakhani, S., & CIVIPOL. (2021). The Role of Digital Technologies in Violent Extremism and Countering Violent Extremism. United Nations.

20. Neumann, P. R. (2013). The trouble with radicalisation. International Affairs, 89(4), 873–.398

21. Reeves, J., & Crowther, T. (2019). Teacher feedback on the use of ICT to prevent radicalisation in schools. Education and Information Technologies, 24, 2845–.2682

22. Sandberg, S., Tutenges, S., & Ilan, J. (2024). The political economy of jihadist violence: A subcultural perspective. British Journal of Criminology, 64(3), 567–.485

23. Sharma, S. (2023). Social media and radicalization: A systematic review. Journal of Terrorism Research, 14(1), 45–.26

24. Sikkens, E. (2018). Relating to Radicalism: Family and Upbringing Experiences in Radicalization and De-radicalization. GVO drukkers & vormgevers.

25. Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In W. G. Austin & S. Worchel (Eds.), The Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations (pp. 33–47). Brooks/Cole.

26. Van den Brand, J., Van Zoonen, L., & Duits, L. (2023). Echo chambers and radicalization on social media: A systematic review. New Media & Society, 25(4), 892–912.

27. Wolfowicz, M., Hasisi, B., & Weisburd, D. (2022). What are the effects of different elements of media on radicalization outcomes? A systematic review. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 18(1), e1212.