- A new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences says violent extremism is largely influenced by a sense of cultural threat and specific personality traits, according to an international research project analyzing data from Denmark, France, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, as well as data on Muslims from over 20 countries.
- The study focuses on jihadist extremism due to its impact in countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan and its association with harmful stereotypes and Islamic values.
- The research highlights the psychological phenomenon of “Need for Cognitive Closure” (NFC) as a key explanation for how a sense of cultural threat can lead to extremist behavior, where individuals with high NFC levels tend to adhere to black-and-white, authoritarian, and dogmatic beliefs. Read More