Students

Violent extremism is an increasing costly and salient global phenomenon. Especially concerning in recent years is the propagation of far-right extremist groups, ideologies, and political parties. Recent theories on the etiology of violent extremism share several common facets, namely the role of social connections, perceived agency, and empowerment.

Such findings are conceptually consistent with Basic Psychological Needs Theory, a framework of personal fulfillment commonly used in motivational psychology. According to Basic Psychological Needs Theory, people are intrinsically motivated to fulfill three fundamental needs: to feel autonomous, competent, and related to others. Despite the theoretical overlap between Basic Psychological Needs and models of extremism, research exploring extremism from this perspective is rare.

The purpose of my research is to evaluate the potential for Basic Psychological Needs to act as both a risk factor – whether those whose needs are unfulfilled are more susceptible to extremist violence or ideologies – and a protective factor – whether individuals who have their needs already satisfied through other channels are less likely to adhere to extremist ideologies. Should this research support the relationship between Basic Psychological Needs and extremism risk, then increasing need fulfillment among at-risk populations should be protective against violent extremism, and integrating findings from existing research on these needs could help to develop and facilitate deradicalization programs.