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The language of new terrorism: differences in psychological dimensions of communication in Dabiq and Inspire
journal contribution
posted on 2018-10-01, 00:00 authored by Matteo VerganiMatteo Vergani, Ana-Maria BliucWe investigate differences in the psychological aspects underpinning Western mobilisation of two terrorist groups by analysing their English-language propaganda. Based on a computerised analysis of the language used in two English-language online magazines circulated by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and al-Qaeda (i.e., Dabiq and Inspire), we found significant differences in their language—the ISIS’ language being
higher in authoritarianism and its level of religiousness. In a follow-up experimental study, we found that being high in religiousness and authoritarianism predicts more positive attitudes towards the language used by ISIS, but not towards the language used by al-Qaeda. The results suggest that ISIS’ propaganda may be more effective in mobilising individuals who are more authoritarian and more focused on religion than that of al-Qaeda. These findings are consistent with the behaviour observed in recent homegrown terrorist attacks in the United States and Europe.
higher in authoritarianism and its level of religiousness. In a follow-up experimental study, we found that being high in religiousness and authoritarianism predicts more positive attitudes towards the language used by ISIS, but not towards the language used by al-Qaeda. The results suggest that ISIS’ propaganda may be more effective in mobilising individuals who are more authoritarian and more focused on religion than that of al-Qaeda. These findings are consistent with the behaviour observed in recent homegrown terrorist attacks in the United States and Europe.
History
Journal
Journal of language and social psychologyVolume
37Issue
5Pagination
523 - 540Publisher
SAGE PublicationsLocation
London, Eng.Publisher DOI
ISSN
0261-927XLanguage
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2018, The Author(s)Usage metrics
Categories
Keywords
computerised linguistic analysisLIWCviolent propagandaterrorismal-QaedaISISISILauthoritarianismhomegrownterroristrecruitmentpropagandaInspireDabiqSocial SciencesCommunicationLinguisticsPsychology, SocialPsychologyPERSONAL POLITICAL SALIENCECOLLECTIVE IDENTITYMILITANT EXTREMISMISLAMIC STATEQUALITYSociology
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