Scientific Reports (Feb 2022)

Willingness to sacrifice among convicted Islamist terrorists versus violent gang members and other criminals

  • Angel Gómez,
  • Scott Atran,
  • Juana Chinchilla,
  • Alexandra Vázquez,
  • Lucia López-Rodríguez,
  • Borja Paredes,
  • Mercedes Martínez,
  • Laura Blanco,
  • Beatriz Alba,
  • Hend Bautista,
  • Saulo Fernández,
  • Florencia Pozuelo-Rubio,
  • José Luis González-Álvarez,
  • Sandra Chiclana,
  • Héctor Valladares-Narganes,
  • María Alonso,
  • Alfredo Ruíz-Alvarado,
  • José Luis López-Novo,
  • Richard Davis

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-06590-0
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 1 – 15

Abstract

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Abstract Is terrorism just another form of criminal activity, as many nations’ justice systems assume? We offer an initial answer using face-to-face interviews and structured surveys in thirty-five Spanish prisons. Recent theories of extreme sacrifice inform this direct observational and comparative study. Islamist terrorists display levels of self-sacrifice for their primary reference group similar to that of Latino gangs, but greater willingness to sacrifice for primary values than other inmates (non-radical Muslims, Latino gangs, and delinquent bands). This disposition is motivated by stronger perceived injustice, discrimination, and a visceral commitment to such values (risk/radicalization factors). Nevertheless, state authorities, prison staff, and families are (protective/de-radicalization) factors apt to reduce willingness to sacrifice and keep foreign fighters, now being released in large numbers, from returning to terrorism.