The tipping point of terror : the psychological drivers of escalation from sympathetic to active involvement in violent extremism in Northern Ireland

The Tipping Point, or the point of decision to escalate into active violent extremism is one of the longest running investigations in terrorism research. This problem focuses on the fundamental question of why only a few people radicalise, when many appear to have been exposed to most of the same causes of radicalisation. The study used a mixed methods empirical design to identify and examine differences and similarities between groups utilising semi structured interviews, questionnaire, and psychometric tests. The questionnaire and semi structured interview included enquiry into social and experiential influence, group dynamic behaviour, interactions with social identity, and group threat factors. Psychometric testing of altruism and locus of control were also included within the design. The results expanded beyond the original design parameters and identified a range of significant similarities and differences between the two populations. There were pivotal differences between the two groups regarding external contact, differing drivers of significance, social influence mediated by isolation, exposure to violence and geographical position as factors of escalation or non-escalation. Group similarities within the areas of familial loss and injury, exposure to threat as well as altruism raise questions pertaining to support and non-escalation of individuals which require further investigation. The importance of the findings of non-escalation of sympathisers is discussed in the research including the wider literature on radicalisation in general as well as the more focused literature on terrorism on Northern Ireland.