Uncertainty and Extremism

Extremism in society is the source of enormous human suffering and represents a significant social problem. This issue of the Journal of Social Issues assembles a set of 11 empirical and theoretical articles from leading social psychologists to examine the psychological relationship between uncertainty and extremism. The key question that is examined is whether, to what extent and in what fashion do feelings of uncertainty lead people to behave individually or collectively in ways that can be considered extremist – does uncertainty play a causal role in zealotry, fundamentalism, attitudinal rigidity, ideological orthodoxy, intolerance of dissent, violent social disruption, authoritarian leadership, and so forth.

INTRODUCTION Uncertainty and the Roots of Extremism Michael A. Hogg, Arie Kruglanski, and Kees van den Bos SECTION I: CONCEPTUAL ANALYSES Commitment and Extremism: A Goal Systemic Analysis Kristen M. Klein and Arie W. Kruglanski Uncertainty–Identity Theory: Extreme Groups, Radical Behavior, and Authoritarian Leadership 436 Michael A. Hogg and Janice Adelman A Raw Deal: Heightened Liberalism Following Exposure to Anomalous Playing Cards Travis Proulx and Brenda Major Uncertainty and Status-Based Asymmetries in the Distinction Between the “Good” Us and the “Bad” Them: Evidence That Group Status Strengthens the Relationship Between the Need for Cognitive Closure and Extremity in Intergroup Differentiation Christopher M. Federico, Corrie V. Hunt, and Emily L. Fisher SECTION II: CULTURE AND MIGRATION Culture and Extremism Michele J. Gelfand, Gary LaFree, Susan Fahey, and Emily Feinberg Uncertainty, Threat, and the Role of the Media in Promoting the Dehumanization of Immigrants and Refugees Victoria M. Esses, Stelian Medianu, and Andrea S. Lawson SECTION III: IDEOLOGY, POLITICS AND RELIGION Anxious Uncertainty and Reactive Approach Motivation (RAM) for Religious, Idealistic, and Lifestyle Extremes Ian McGregor, Mike Prentice, and Kyle Nash Compensatory Control and Its Implications for Ideological Extremism Aaron C. Kay and Richard P. Eibach Determinants of Radicalization of Islamic Youth in the Netherlands: Personal Uncertainty, Perceived Injustice, and Perceived Group Threat Bertjan Doosje, Annemarie Loseman, and Kees van den Bos COMMENTARY A Millennial Challenge: Extremism in Uncertain Times Susan T. Fiske Issues in Progress Impact Validity as a Framework for Advocacy-Based Research Sean G. Massey & Ricardo E. Barreras Ethnic-racial Stigma and Physical Health Disparities in the United States of America: From Psychological Theory and Evidence to Public Policy Solutions Luis M. Rivera & Danielle Beatty