1. Age-structured social interactions enhance radicalization.
- Author
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Chuang, Yao-Li, Chou, Tom, and D’Orsogna, Maria R.
- Subjects
SOCIAL interaction ,RADICALISM ,DEMOGRAPHIC surveys ,RADICAL behaviorism (Psychology) ,SOCIOLOGY - Abstract
Disaffected youth are among the most susceptible in espousing extremist ideals, as confirmed by demographic studies. We study age-dependent radicalization via a three-stage model where individuals progress through non-radical, activist, and radical states while also aging. Transitions are modeled as age-dependent interactions that are maximized for individuals of the same age and that are enhanced at early adulthood. For comparison, we also derive the age-independent formulation corresponding to our model. We find that age dependence enhances radicalization and leads to waves of radical behavior ebbing and flowing over generational cycles, realizing well-known sociological paradigms. While government intervention is most effective when the appropriate ages are targeted, whether preventive or corrective action is preferable depends on the aggressiveness of the radicalization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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