BRIDGING HOSTILITY AND ACTION: THE SOCIAL NETWORK PATHWAY TO POLITICAL VIOLENCE

Abstract

This study looked at how dehumanization and criminal attitudes affect people’s support for political violence. It also examined how social networks make this connection stronger. Data were collected from prisoners, drug addicts, and students to gather a range of viewpoints. The results showed that dehumanization was the strongest factor leading people to support political violence. Criminal attitudes also played an important role. Social networks made these effects stronger by acting like a bridge, turning hostile beliefs into stronger support for violent actions. These findings agree with theories such as Bandura’s (1999) idea of moral disengagement and McCauley and Moskalenko’s (2011) pyramid model of radicalization. This means that political violence is influenced not only by ideology but also by psychological and social factors. The study suggests that prevention efforts should focus on reducing dehumanization by promoting empathy, changing criminal attitudes, and breaking violent social networks both online and offline. Although the study has some limitations, like depending on self-reports and using a cross-sectional design, it still provides important knowledge about how personal beliefs and social influences combine to increase support for political violence.