MF CASR lunch with Anton Fischer

Finding Purpose in Extremism: The Role of Meaning in Radicalization and Deradicalization

This talk gives an overview of the “Meaning in Life in the Context of (De-)Radicalization” (MILD) project at MF. The project explores how perceived meaning in life influences both entry into and exit from political extremism in Western contexts. The talk will focus on two complementary empirical investigations:

• Pathways into Extremism: First, an upcoming experimental study is outlined, investigating whether a lack of meaning in life increases individuals’ susceptibility to extremist video narratives. Such narratives circulate on short-form video platforms like TikTok, indicating the necessity to understand the mechanisms by which such content increase susceptibility among at-risk individuals.
• Pathways out of Extremism: Second, an ongoing randomized controlled trial (RCT) with right-wing and Islamist extremists in exit programs is presented. Here we test whether assistance in finding new sources of meaning outside extremist groups improves deradicalization outcomes compared to standard exit counseling strategies such as ideology-based or social-work-based approaches.
  

The talk closes by discussing implications for meaning-oriented prevention and intervention strategies.