Pre-radicalization

While the latter type of pre-radicalization is observable in terrorist groups such as the Weathermen or later Weather Underground Organization, for the most part, the current concentration on Islamist or jihadist terrorism clearly favours the former conversion experience based on religion.

Silber and Bhatt (2007) examined individual-level radicalization and developed a model that consisted of a distinct series of steps: pre-radicalization, self-identification, indoctrination, and jihadization.

An interesting hypothesis was proposed by Aly and Striegher (2012), who differentiate between a pre-radicalization phase, where religion might offer answers to personal issues, and a radicalization phase, when violent behaviour is triggered by factors of another nature, such as group mechanisms and personal benefits.

The first step in pre-radicalization touches the rather non-religious, inconspicuous aspirant, who is open to new things.