ABSTRACT
Radicalization to terrorism is, by its very nature, a psychological process (at least in part). Several decades of empirical research within communication studies have produced a wealth of methodologies that allow us to see not only that words matter, but also how words matter. Malicious actors like terrorist groups can use disinformation to mislead allies and enemies alike; this can make organizational goals like recruitment and radicalization to violence all the easier. One of the biggest challenges facing counter-radicalization efforts are the difficulties associated with aligning online communicative campaigns with offline ‘on-the-ground’ messaging. The digital space moves so fast, and information permeates through it so completely, that disinformation campaigns change almost by the hour.
