Relevance, measurement and effects of reactance in radicalization prevention: A systematic literature review

Schwertberger, Ulrike und Naderer, Brigitte (2025): Relevance, measurement and effects of reactance in radicalization prevention: A systematic literature review. 70. Jahrestagung der DGPuK, Berlin, 19.-21. März 2025.

Abstract

Extremist and radical content has been given a new platform and means of dissemination as a result of advancing digitalization and the rise of social media. Prevention campaigns are one way of counteracting the persuasive potential of this content and preventing the potential of radicalization processes as far as possible. Although large-scale prevention programs have demonstrated positive effects on knowledge transfer and psychosocial factors, many evaluation studies have methodological limitations (Jugl et al., 2021). One key aspect to consider are unintended reactance processes. If, e.g., prevention campaigns confront participants with their alleged shortcomings or if dropout reports are perceived as betrayal, boomerang effects could be triggered rather than the intended prevention of radicalization (Walsh & Gansewig, 2019). By means of a systematic literature review (Fig. 1), this presentation examines the questions 1) whether reactance is considered in the evaluation of prevention campaigns, 2) how reactance is implemented and measured in these studies, and 3) which reactance effects are observed in these contexts.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Speech)
• Keywords: Reactance; Radicalization; Prevention; Deradicalization; Evaluation; Literature Review; Konferenz DGPuK 2025
• Faculties: Social Sciences > Department of Communications and Media (IfKW)
• Subjects: 300 Social sciences > 380 Commerce, communications and transportation
• Language: English