Abstract
Communication researchers have long-explored the ability of narratives to change the viewpoints of those that are exposed to them. Only recently, however, have terrorism researchers begun to investigate whether narratives produced by terrorist groups effectively promote terrorist ideologies. This chapter provides a brief summary of narrative persuasion , how terrorists use narratives to promote radicalization, and how terrorist narratives targeted at adolescents can be challenged.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
Though the group was called Aum Shinrikyo at the time of its Tokyo subway attack, it has since changed its name to Aleph.
- 2.
Unpacking these eight propositions is beyond the scope of the current chapter, but the author would suggest that the interested reader seek out Marie-Laure Ryan (2007).
- 3.
For details concerning psychological processes that lead to persuasion, see Moyer-Gusé (2008).
References
Abbott, H. P. (2008). The Cambridge introduction to narrative (2nd edition). New York: Cambridge University Press.
Bandura, A. (2004). Social cognitive theory for personal and social change by enabling media. In A. Singhal, M. J. Cody, E. M. Rogers, and M. Sabido (Eds.), Entertainment-education and social change: History, research, and practice (pp. 75–96). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Benmelech, E., & Klor, E. F. (2016). What explains the flow of foreign fighters to ISIS? National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper 22190. Retrieved from https://www.nber.org/papers/w22190.pdf.
Braddock, K. (2012). Fighting words: The persuasive effect of online extremist narratives on the radicalization process (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. Retrieved from https://etda.libraries.psu.edu/catalog/15349.
Braddock, K. (2015). The utility of narratives for promoting radicalization: The case of the Animal Liberation Front. Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict, 8, 38–59.
Braddock, K., & Dillard, J. P. (2016). Meta-analytic evidence for the persuasive effect of narratives on beliefs, attitudes, intentions, and behaviors. Communication Monographs, 83, 446–467.
Braddock, K., & Horgan, J. (2016). Towards a guide for constructing and disseminating counternarratives. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 39, 381–404.
Brehm, J. W. (1966). A theory of psychological reactance. New York: Academic Press.
Burgoon, M., Alvaro, E., Grandpre, J., & Voulodakis, M. (2002). Revisiting the theory of psychological reactance. In J. P. Dillard and M. Pfau (Eds.), The persuasion handbook: Theory and practice (pp. 213–232). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Busselle, R., & Bilandzic, H. (2008). Fictionality and perceived realism in experiencing stories: A model of narrative comprehension and engagement. Communication Theory, 18, 255–280.
Corman, S. R. (2011). Understanding the role of narrative as extremist strategic communication. In L. Fenstermacher and T. Leventhal (Eds.), Countering violent extremism: Scientific methods and strategies (pp. 36–43). Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/files/attachments/95226/ucounterviolentextremismfinalapprovedforpublicrelease28oct11.pdf.
Fisher, W. R. (1987). Human communication as narration: Toward a philosophy of reason, value, and action. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press.
Frankenberger, K. D. (2004). Adolescent egocentrism: A comparison among adolescents and adults. Journal of Adolescent Research, 19, 576–590.
Gates, S., & Podder, S. (2015). Social media, recruitment, allegiance and the Islamic State. Perspectives on Terrorism, 9(4), 107–116.
Genette, G. (1982). Figures of literary discourse. New York: Columbia University Press.
Green, M. C., & Brock, T. C. (2000). The role of transportation in the persuasiveness of public narratives. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79, 701–721.
Gumbel, A., & Charles, R. G. (2012). Oklahoma City: What the investigation missed—and why it still matters. New York: William Morrow.
Halverson, J. R., Goodall Jr., H. R., & Forman, S. R. (2011). Master narratives of Islamic extremism. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Horgan, J. (2014). The psychology of terrorism (2nd ed.). Oxon, UK: Routledge.
Horton, D., & Wohl, R. R. (1956). Mass communication and para-social interaction: Observation on intimacy at a distance. Interpersonal and Biological Processes, 19, 215–229.
Lee, E., & Leets, L. (2002). Persuasive storytelling by hate groups online: Examining its effects on adolescents. American Behavioral Scientist, 45, 927–957.
McGrane, W. L., Allely, E. B., & Toth, F. J. (1990). The use of interactive media for HIV/AIDS prevention in the military community. Military Medicine, 155, 235–240.
Moyer-Gusé, E. (2008). Toward a theory of entertainment persuasion: Explaining the persuasive effects of entertainment-education messages. Communication Theory, 18, 407–425.
Onega, S., & Landa, J. A. (Eds.) (2014). Narratology. New York: Routledge.
Peracchio, L. A., & Meyers-Levy, J. (1997). Evaluating persuasion-enhancing techniques from a resource matching perspective. Journal of Consumer Research, 24, 178–191.
Riceour, P. (1980). Narrative time. Critical Inquiry, 7, 169–190.
Ryan, M-L. (2007). Toward a definition of narrative. In D. Herman (Ed.), The Cambridge companion to narrative (pp. 22–37). New York: Cambridge University Press.
Schmidt, M. S. (2014, July 15). Canadian killed in Syria lives on as pitchman for ISIS. New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/16/world/middleeast/isis-uses-andre-poulin-a-canadian-convert-to-islam-in-recruitment-video.html.
Shiffman, J. (2012). From abuse to a chat room, a martyr is made. Retrieved from http://graphics.thomsonreuters.com/12/12/JihadJaneAll.pdf.
Stahelski, A. (2005). Terrorists are made, not born. Cultic Studies Review, 4, 30–40.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Braddock, K. (2020). Narrative Persuasion and Violent Extremism: Foundations and Implications. In: Schmitt, J., Ernst, J., Rieger, D., Roth, HJ. (eds) Propaganda und Prävention. Interkulturelle Studien. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-28538-8_28
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-28538-8_28
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer VS, Wiesbaden
Print ISBN: 978-3-658-28537-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-658-28538-8
eBook Packages: Social Science and Law (German Language)