Weaponized Words

Discover theories of persuasion that show how terrorist messages promote radicalization and how counter-messages fight terrorist propaganda.

Kurt Braddock is Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences at the Pennsylvania State University. He researches the persuasive effects of terrorist propaganda and how that propaganda can be challenged. He has also advised multiple governments, non-governmental organizations, and practitioners on effective counter-messaging strategies.

Introduction; Part I. The Battlefield: Foundations of Persuasion, Radicalization, Violent Radicalization and Counter-Radicalization: 1. Words are loaded pistols: radicalization and persuasion; 2. The riddle of the Sphinx: lessons from past and current counter-radicalization efforts; Part II. The Weapons: Theories of Persuasion and their Application to Radicalization and Counter-Radicalization Processes: 3. Extremist narratives and counter-narratives; 4. Vaccinating against the enemy: attitudinal inoculation, radicalization, and counter-radicalization; 5. The reasoned action of radicalization and counter-radicalization; 6. Terrorism is theater: emotion in extremist propaganda and counter-propaganda; Part III. The War: Future Challenges and Ways Forward in the Battle over Strategic Influence: 7. The coming persuasion wars: three future challenges in radicalization and counter-radicalization; 8. Fighting back: three future directions for persuasion-based approaches to counter-radicalization.