Terrorism can reaffirm ethnic roots rather than stem from identity rejection

Evidence

Knutson argues that the negative identity actually reflects values instilled early in life and may reaffirm, albeit in a radical manner, ethnic roots and traditions. One should therefore be cautious about attributing all terrorist activity to the individual’s rejection of, or inability to pursue, a positive identity. Furthermore, not all acquisitions of negative identities are politicized; many young people rebel socially—in clothes and manners—without political purpose. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4128

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Some identity needs reduce rather than increase violent extremism — Lea Echelmeyer, Anne-Marie Slotboom, and Frank Weerman, The Putative Effect of Identity on…, 253