Here Are the Psychological Reasons Why an American Might Join ISIS | Mother Jones

Here Are the Psychological Reasons Why an American Might Join ISIS | Mother Jones:



Note the similarities of the explanations here with Hoffer's original insights about how people are attracted to mass (fanatical) movements.  The researchers note:

According to University of Maryland psychologist and
terrorism expert Arie Kruglanski, who has studied scores of militant
extremists, part of the clue may lie in that Twitter tagline of McCain's. Not
just its content, but the mindset that it indicates—one that sees the world in
sharp definition, no shades of gray. "These extreme ideologies have a
twofold type of appeal," explains Kruglanski on the latest Inquiring Minds
podcast. "First of all, they are very coherent, black and white, right or
wrong. Secondly, they afford the possibility of becoming very unique, and part
of a larger whole."  (See Hoffer - corporate whole)   That kind of belief system, explains Kruglanski, is highly
attractive to young people who lack a clear sense of self-identity, and are
craving a sense of larger significance. In fact, Kruglanski and his colleagues
have found that one important psychological trait in particular seems to define
these militants who leave their own culture and go off to embrace some ideology
about which they may not even know very much. (We recently learned that Yusuf
Sarwar and Mohammed Ahmed, two British jihadis who went to fight in Syria last
year, ordered Islam for Dummies and The Koran for Dummies from Amazon before
they departed.)  Arie KruglanskiThese young people seem to have what psychologists call a
very strong "need for cognitive closure," a disposition that leads to
an overwhelming desire for certainty, order, and structure in one's life to
relieve the sensation of gnawing—often existential—doubt and uncertainty. (See Hoffer - the disaffected believers)

 According to Kruglanski, this need is something everyone can experience from
time to time. We all sometimes get stressed out by uncertainty, and want
answers. We all feel that way in moments, in particular situations, but what
Kruglanski shows is that some of us feel that way more strongly, or maybe even
all the time. And if you go through the world needing closure, it predisposes
you to seek out the ideologies and belief systems that most provide it.

Fundamentalist religions are among the leading candidates  (emphasis throughout, mine)

Compare this to Hoffer's description of the "disaffected" - which includes rootless youth.  This also echoes the Tea Party need for "security" - the fear that drove them together in the first place - here describted as "gnawing...doubt and uncertainty."





























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