Article 3d: Terrorism and conspiracy theories: A view from the 3N model of radicalization (Kruglanski et al., 2022)

Question 1

3N model or radicalisation

Answer 1

3 factors that contribute to radicalisation vulnerability to conspiracy beliefs:
1. Need
2. Narrative
3. Network

Question 2

(1) Need for personal significance

Answer 2

This need can be activated in 3 ways:
1. Through a loss of significance.
2. Through a threat of significance loss.
3. Through an opportunity for a significance gain.

Question 3

(2) Narrative

Answer 3

The group’s narrative guides members in their quest for significance. The narrative often justifies violence when the group feels that their values are under threat. A narrative can be a conspiracy theory (‘they are trying to kill us’)

Question 4

(3) Network

Answer 4

Membership of one’s group who validate the narrative and who dispense rewards (respect) to members who implement it.

Question 5

How conspiracy theories satisfy the need for significance

Answer 5

This goes via a couple of processes:
- The incitation (aansporing) to violence against an alleged enemy (you are the chosen one to save us).
- Conspiracy theories highlight the believers’ grievance and culprit (dader) to those grievances (the government, the Muslims etc.)
- Conspiracy theories isolate believers from non-believers and bring them closer to a community of believers who validate and reward them.

Question 6

Conspiracy theories AND the need for significance are related to feelings of:

Answer 6

• Relative deprivation
• Perception of being a member of a disadvantaged group
• Low self-esteem
• Feeling powerless
• Collective narcissism
• Strong collective frustration

Question 7

Characteristics of a narrative / conspiracy theory

Answer 7

Are characterised by 2 main elements of terrorism-justifying ideology:
- A grievance: allegedly committed against the group.
- A culprit: someone who is to blame for the grievance.
The group often want to find a way to redress (herstellen) the grievance, often through violence. Conspiracy theories create a state of mind that can easily legitimise violent actions against the other group.

Question 8

The role of the network

Answer 8

When someone’s need for significance is aroused at a high magnitude, and when their social network supports violence as a way of gaining, restoring or preventing loss of significance, a conspiracy theory encourage this. It endorses the narrative and dispenses respect and social recognition to people who follow this narrative. They also often gen isolated from other-thinkers and get praised within their own group.

Question 9

Strong collective frustration

Answer 9

Conspiracy theories often rise in time of strong collective frustration about for example: economic crisis, widespread disease, war, severe generalised uncertainty.
These are all circumstances that are likely to impact the group members feelings of self-worth and significance.