ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the 2007 New York Police Department's radicalization report and various reports produced by the United States government. It discusses many factors that are found in the recruitment of individuals for the purpose of pursuing a radicalized agenda. Just like the term of terrorism, radicalization's definition has evolved over time. Self-radicalization is often mentioned by members of the media and researchers but it is held in the context of Muslims or Islamic extremist groups. The commonalities form a radicalization model indicating that lone wolf terrorism begins with personal and political grievances, which become the basis for an affinity with an extremist group. The chapter discusses the factor of criminal roots as it relates not only to the radicalization, but also how it is contextually connected to the recruitment process. Extremism is highly dangerous because it often results in views that are detached from reality, or that are destructive to the ideals of others.
