Towards a Guide for Constructing and Disseminating Counternarratives to Reduce Support for Terrorism

2015/11/10 by Kurt Braddock, John Horgan · 1 citation
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression #Social and Intergroup Psychology #Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence

paper · doi:10.1080/1057610x.2015.1116277

openalex publication_date 2015/11/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25

Abstract

Despite widespread recognition that the use of counternarratives is an important strategic component of countering violent extremism, to date, there are no comprehensive guidelines on how to develop and distribute counternarratives to effectively reduce support for terrorism. To redress this, we offer communication and psychology theory-based procedures for (1) analyzing terrorist narratives, (2) constructing counternarratives that challenge terrorist narratives, and (3) disseminating the counternarratives to overcome barriers to persuasion. Analysts and practitioners can use such guidelines in developing counternarratives to reduce support for violent extremism.

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