ABSTRACT
‘Deradicalization’ as a concept denotes a process of individual or collective cognitive change from criminal, radical or extremist identities to a non-criminal or moderate psychological state. As the deradicalization process is neither one-directional nor irreversible, several factors have found to be strong inhibitors of starting the process in the first place or stopping and reversing it at a later stage. Employment, education and personal relationships are also among the factors widely proven to be essential for successful desistance and deradicalization. In general, a distinction can be made between state and non-state programs, and between programs mainly designed either for disengagement or for deradicalization. The cornerstone of EXIT-Germany’s work is the highlighted role of ideology as the main driving force behind behaviour. Nevertheless a strong need for more comprehensive and substantial research in individual deradicalization processes, as well as comparative interdisciplinary works is among the factors impeding the development of deradicalization programs.
