Theoretical background of violent radicalisation: Research and interventions from different perspectives

Abstract

This chapter will show a systematic review of the literature about radicalisation. The most of scientific literature and of experimented practices are security-oriented, where psychological contribution only appears as a support in the deradicalisation processes or as a search for indicators able to detect signs for future deviance and radicalisation. The innovation of the present contribution, which tries to fill this gap, is its psychosocial perspective, focusing on social inclusion and on a proactive approach, and exploring topics concerning group processes and dynamics, social identities, and theories on relative deprivation. Authors coming from both European and other international contexts are analysed and discussed, paying particular attention to the suggestions of the theoretical perspectives for implementing good practices. The contribution of the Council of Europe in promoting competences for democratic culture has been underlined. The most promising indications have been the reference framework of the PROVA project.