Willingness to sacrifice among convicted Islamist terrorists versus violent gang members and other criminals.

ABSTRACT: Is terrorism just another form of criminal activity, as many nations' justice systems assume? We offer an initial answer using face-to-face interviews and structured surveys in thirty-five Spanish prisons. Recent theories of extreme sacrifice inform this direct observational and comparative study. Islamist terrorists display levels of self-sacrifice for their primary reference group similar to that of Latino gangs, but greater willingness to sacrifice for primary values than other inmates (non-radical Muslims, Latino gangs, and delinquent bands). This disposition is motivated by stronger perceived injustice, discrimination, and a visceral commitment to such values (risk/radicalization factors). Nevertheless, state authorities, prison staff, and families are (protective/de-radicalization) f

SUBMITTER: Gomez A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8850476 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature