# Radicalization **Entity class:** Behavioral and ideological process **Domain:** Terrorism studies / political violence / prevention **Maturity:** Developed ## Definition **Radicalization** is a contested term for processes through which a person or group comes to legitimize, support, facilitate, or use terrorist violence. A rigorous analysis distinguishes **cognitive radicalization**—changes in belief or legitimation—from **behavioral radicalization**, mobilization, operational preparation, and violence. There is no single profile or universal conveyor belt. Pathways can involve grievance, identity, status or significance seeking, ideology, peer networks, charismatic recruiters, online exposure, organizational opportunity, coercion, and triggering events. Many people exposed to radical ideas never mobilize, and holding radical or unpopular beliefs is not itself terrorism. ## Relationships - **counterterrorism domain:** [[wiki/Counterterrorism|Counterterrorism]]. - **network model:** [[wiki/Radicalization as Social Contagion|Radicalization as Social Contagion]]. - **prevention:** [[wiki/Countering Violent Extremism|Countering Violent Extremism]] and [[wiki/Prevent Strategy|Prevent Strategy]]. - **exit processes:** [[wiki/Deradicalization|Deradicalization]] and [[wiki/Disengagement|Disengagement]]. - **ethical boundary:** protected belief and association require separation from evidence of violent intent or conduct. ## Sources / Provenance - [UK Home Office — Prevent duty guidance](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance/prevent-duty-guidance-for-england-and-wales-accessible) - [National Institute of Justice — Social networks and domestic radicalization](https://nij.ojp.gov/library/publications/role-social-networks-facilitating-and-preventing-domestic-radicalization-what)