ABSTRACT
The principal objectives of this chapter are the following: 1) to specify in detailed and integrated form the psychosocial factors implied in the general process of recruitment and violent radicalization of jihadists; 2) to develop a proposal for the prevention of recruitment and mobilization of young adults for jihad in Europe, taking into account the distinct aspects related to the behaviour of the people, the culture, and the social and physical-contextual environment. For this, initially, the sequential phases through which the general process of recruitment of new jihadists goes are described: identification, regional capture, physical submission, ideological indoctrination, violent disinhibition, training and logistical support. Subsequently, the extreme radicalization process will be deconstructed to understand its three conceptual axes, known as emotional radicalization (psychological alienation), doctrinal radicalization (political-religious alienation) and violent radicalization (violent alienation). This chapter describes the strategies used by the recruiters to capture youths in critical environments, to hold power over youths, indoctrinate them, and instil violent attitudes in them. In addition, the chapter discusses the factors of risk and protection involved in the recruitment process in particular, and in the recruitment and violent radicalization in general. Finally, a proposal of psychological actions is made for the early prevention of recruitment and violent radicalization of terrorists and foreign combatants forjihad.
