Extremism and the Psychology of Uncertainty

Why do people join extremist groups and engage in terrorist acts? What are the psychological consequences of rising social, political, and economic uncertainty around the world? This excellent volume by Hogg and Blaylock addresses these and related questions in a timely collection of chapters written by leading scholars. It is a 'must read' for social scientists and students interested in the psychology of uncertainty and terrorism. Brenda Major, University of California-Santa Barbara The editors have assembled a distinguished group of scholars who, in an impressive collection of empirically based chapters, illuminate the psychology of extremism. The central theme that extremism can be rooted in many normal social psychological processes is provocative, with significant scholarly and practical implications. This work offers valuable insights, complementing analyses from other disciplines, into a timely international issue. John F. Dovidio, Yale University This theoretically diverse collection illustrates lucidly how uncertainty may give rise to extremism in many forms, from self-destructive acts of adolescents, through political behavior, to heightened moral affirmation and acts of terrorism. A superb volume. Miles Hewstone, University of Oxford The significance of extremism in our lives is enormous, and understanding the social conditions and individual psychology that sponsor these behaviors is one of the greatest challenges of the future. One factor associated with extremism is uncertainty. This book examines the critical underlying relationship between uncertainty and related constructs, on the one hand, and extremist phenomena, on the other. The text presents cutting-edge scientific research on this relationship, as leading scholars investigate the extent to which the psychology of uncertainty may cause extremism in certain circumstances. Contributions are drawn internationally and from a broad academic spectrum, which includes psychology, neuroscience, leadership studies, and the study of religion. The contributions are diverse and eclectic in their perspectives, and each adopts a distinct perspective on extremism that focuses on a wide variety of different forms, facets, and manifestations.