(c) peter weinreich, march 2010 1 extreme islamist and anti-extremist muslims: identity processes...

(c) Peter Weinreich, March 2010(c) Peter Weinreich, March 2010 11

Extreme Islamist and anti-extremist Extreme Islamist and anti-extremist Muslims:Muslims: identity processes assessed identity processes assessed by Identity Structure Analysisby Identity Structure Analysis

Peter Weinreich Peter Weinreich Emeritus Professor of Psychology, University Emeritus Professor of Psychology, University of Ulsterof UlsterDirector, Identity Exploration LtdDirector, Identity Exploration Ltd

www.identityexploration.comwww.identityexploration.com

SeminarSeminarCentre for Research in Political PsychologyCentre for Research in Political PsychologyQueen’s University BelfastQueen’s University Belfast

Tuesday 2 March 2010Tuesday 2 March 2010


What is Identity Structure AnalysisIdentity Structure Analysis (ISA)?

ISA’s substantive arena of discourse: Self and Identity

It is an open-ended conceptual framework of (a) psychological concepts and (b) process postulates

that represents an integration of key theoretical formulations from the academic disciplines of Psychology, Sociology and Social Anthropology.


Key theoretical formulations Psychodynamic approach …identity over the lifespan through

identifications (Erikson, Marcia, Laing, Berne)

Symbolic interactionism …identity through communication (Mead, Cooley, Sullivan, Stryker, Weigert, Goffman, Shotter & Gergen)

Self-concept, social identity and self-esteem …identity through society (Rosenberg, Coopersmith, Harter, Tajfel, Turner, Hogg & Abrams)

Construal and appraisal …identity by way of idiosyncratic personal constructions (G.A.Kelly, Arnold, Lazarus, Schweder)

Cognitive-affective consistency theory …identity subject to emotional and cognitive pressures (Heider, Osgood & Tannenbaum, Rosenberg &

Abelson, Festinger, Wickland & Brehm, Aronson)

Social anthropology and indigenous psychologies …identity located in cultural context (Schweder, Pasternack, Ember & Ember, Valsiner)

The fundamental issue of ‘agency’ : Rom Harré – the agentic selfThe fundamental issue of ‘agency’ : Rom Harré – the agentic self


Key theoretical formulations

ReferenceReference

The theoretical perspectives that underpin ISA, The theoretical perspectives that underpin ISA, together with the definitions of psychological concepts together with the definitions of psychological concepts and statements of process postulates are to be found and statements of process postulates are to be found in: in:

Weinreich, P. (2003) Weinreich, P. (2003) Identity structure Analysis.Identity structure Analysis.

In Weinreich, P., & Saunderson, W. (Eds.) In Weinreich, P., & Saunderson, W. (Eds.) Analysing Analysing Identity: Cross-Cultural, Societal and Clinical Contexts. Identity: Cross-Cultural, Societal and Clinical Contexts. London: Routledge & Psychology Press. Chapter 1.London: Routledge & Psychology Press. Chapter 1.


The processes of identification…

People identify with elements of significant others who have influence over their personal well-being, either for good or ill.

They form aspirational identifications with others when they wish to

emulate their prized features or

dissociate from their unpalatable aspects.


Aspirational identification in two aspects…

They form idealistic-identifications with others when they wish to emulate their prized features.

They form contra-identifications with others when they wish to dissociate from their unpalatable aspects.


The processes of identification…

a different mode in the here and now …

People empathetically identify with others when they recognise in the others features of themselves, whether good or bad.

… a person’s empathetic identification with another modulates according to situations, contexts and mood states


Conflicted identifications…

When self empathetically identifies with another person while simultaneously contra-identifying with that person, self’s identification with the other is conflicted.

I.e., Self is as the other in several respects, while wishing to dissociate from some of the characteristics of the other - “to be as the other, while not wishing to be”

… Since people’s empathetic identification with others modulate according to situations, contexts and mood states, so will their conflicted identifications alter accordingly


Identity diffusion …

People’s conflicted identifications with others may be dispersed across several persons.

A state of high identity diffusion is manifest when self’s conflicted identifications with others are both substantial and dispersed across many others.

… extent of identity diffusion may also modulate according to situations, contexts and mood states.


How is the ISA conceptual framework operationalised?

• Psychological definitions• Algorithms• Computer software• Identity instrument editor • Instrument display and

data capture• Data analysis and output


Identity Structure Analysis is operationalised Identity Structure Analysis is operationalised through…through…

……the ‘ipseus’ computer software …the ‘ipseus’ computer software …

… … in these modes …in these modes …

IdiographicIdiographic – for individual analyses

Phase Phase – for longitudinal analyses

Nomothetic Nomothetic – for group analyses

Nomothetic-phaseNomothetic-phase – for group longitudinal analyses


Customised identity instrument : themes and constructs

Preliminary investigative and ethnographic work Preliminary investigative and ethnographic work establishes salient themes to be represented in the establishes salient themes to be represented in the identity instrument as identity instrument as

Bipolar constructs, consisting of contrasting discourses about, or representations of, experiences and expectations, beliefs and values, attributes, etc.

Their role as core or conflicted dimensions of identity for each person is ascertained using the ipseus software


Customised identity instrument: domains and entities

Continuing investigative and ethnographic work Continuing investigative and ethnographic work establishes the domains of most relevance to the establishes the domains of most relevance to the delineated themes to be the represented in the delineated themes to be the represented in the identity instrument as identity instrument as

Entities: self in various contexts; other agents, such as people, groups, institutions, emblems, icons, images, events, abstractions, material objects, etc

Their significance in terms of themes and appraisal in terms of the bipolar constructs is assessed for each person using the ipseus software


Customised identity instrument as a matrix of entities and constructs

E.g.,Entities – my best friend; my Member of ParliamentConstruct – discourse about ‘trust’

…can be trusted …can’t be trusted 9 point scale: 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4

Would you place your best friend at the same place on the scale as your Member of Parliament?

The text and syntax of the instrument is formulated using the ipseus software editor and displayed on screen for the participant’s appraisal of self and the social world


The operationalisation of Identity Structure Analysis

References1) The isomorphic translations of ISA psychological

concepts into algorithms and their practical operationalisation:

Weinreich, P. (2003) Identity exploration: Theory into practice. In Weinreich, P., & Saunderson, W. (Eds.) Analysing Identity: Clinical, Societal and Cross-Cultural Contexts London: Routledge & Psychology Press. Chapter 2.

2) Dedicated computer software for facilitating ISA:Weinreich, P., & Ewart, S. (2008) Ipseus. www.identityexploration.com


Investigation of Islamist propensities in disaffected young Muslims in Manchester

Home Office rubric ‘Prevention of Violent Extremism’:

Screening criteria Mentoring

The issue of screening a segment of the population is a controversial activity:

Comparative study is essential Appraisals of self, other people and agents in the

community should be from the participants’ perspectives, not ones imposed by the investigators imposed by the investigators


Four themes to be investigatedFour themes to be investigated

Theme 1: CivicsTheme 1: Civics

Subthemes: Subthemes: 1.1 Sharia law: Radical tendency – favour Sharia over

British law

1.2 Human rights: Radical tendency – favour Islamic code over ‘universal’ (western) Human Rights

1.3 Free-speech: Radical tendency – less than wholesale endorsement

1.4 Fighting and dying for a cause: Radical tendency – preference for this rather than national army



Theme 2: British Muslims in the context of British societyTheme 2: British Muslims in the context of British society

Subthemes: Subthemes: 2.1 Racism: 2.1 Racism: Radical tendencyRadical tendency – habitual experience of – habitual experience of

racismracism 2.2 Societal consequence of identity in Britain: 2.2 Societal consequence of identity in Britain: Radical Radical

tendencytendency – victimisation because of one’s identity – victimisation because of one’s identity

2.3 Morality of the British: 2.3 Morality of the British: Radical tendencyRadical tendency – British – British immoralimmoral

2.4 Impact of British foreign policy on Muslims in Britain: 2.4 Impact of British foreign policy on Muslims in Britain: Radical tendencyRadical tendency – British foreign policy desecrates Muslims – British foreign policy desecrates Muslims

2.5 Trustworthiness: 2.5 Trustworthiness: Radical tendencyRadical tendency – distrust of – distrust of Government, police and mediaGovernment, police and media



Theme 3: Sensibility of Islamic culture

Subthemes: 3.1 Muslim belongingness as local or global: Radical

tendency – global

3.2 Continuity of Islamic culture: Radical tendency - contradicts key aspects of Islam

3.3 Respect for Islam: Radical tendency – makes Islam respected

3.4 Respect of others by Muslims: Radical tendency – disrespect of British ethnicities and institutions

3.5 Alternative expressions of Islamic faith: Radical tendency – adoption of alternative militant expressions



Theme 4: The individual living in the social world: civil society (4 bipolar constructs)

Subthemes: 4.1 Meaningfulness of existence: Potential for

radicalisation – self having no centre

4.2 Being noticed or not: Potential for radicalisation – self not being noticed

4.3 Ability to influence others: Potential for radicalisation – self not having any influence

4.4 Susceptibility to radical influence: : radical radical tendencytendency – susceptible – susceptible


Identity instrument: Relevant domains for the themes

Domain 1: Self (7 entities – those aspects indicated by * are mandatory for ISA)

Two aspirational self-images* (positive and negative) Me as I would like to be

Me as I would hate to be

Two current self-images*Me when I am with people of the same ethnic/religious

backgroundMe when I am with people from the mainstream

community

One past self-image*Me as I was before the 7th July London bombings

Two meta-perspectives of selfMe as the police see me Me as the media see me



Domain 2: Parents and friend (2 entities)My parentsMy closest friend

Domain 3: Likely role models (2 entities)Someone I admire (pick someone) Someone who offends me (pick someone)

Domain 4: Own community religious leader (1 entity)

The most influential religious leader in my community



Domain 5: Radical Islamists (2 entities)Al-Qaeda and similar Islamic groups A martyr for Islam

Domain 6: Government – central and local (2 entities)The Government Local decision makers

Domain 7: Alternative long-established British ethnicities (2 entities)

British Christians British Jews


Identity instrument: themes incorporated as potential dimensions of identity

E.g., for Theme 1: Civics (4 bipolar constructs)

promotes Sharia law [vs. accepts British law]

believes that Islamic codes of behaviour are more relevant [vs. believes in western-type human rights for all]

feels free to speak out openly [vs. cannot express opinions]

believes that everyone should be personally prepared to fight and die to defend their traditions [vs. believes that people’s traditions should be defended by a national, professional armed force]

Etc for the other themes


‘Anti-infidel’ radical-Islamist activist: Criteria in terms of –

A) Identification

Strong identification (idealistic & empathetic) with Islamic agents – both al Qaeda and martyr

together with Strong contra-

identification with infidel agents – Government and British Christians and Jews

B) dimensions of identity

At least 9 of 10 ‘Islamist’ values and beliefs endorsed, of which at least 8 are core dimensions of identity


‘Myopic’ radical-Islamist activist: criteria in terms of –

A) identification



identification with only Government ignoring the wider community of British Christians and Jews

BB) dimensions of identity

At least 9 of 10 ‘Islamist’ values and beliefs endorsed, of which at least 8 are core dimensions of identity


‘Anti-infidel’ strong, moderate, or weak radical-Islamist sympathiser: Criteria in terms of –

A) IdentificationA) Identification

Strong identification Strong identification (idealistic & (idealistic & empathetic) with empathetic) with one one or otheror other Islamic agent – Islamic agent – either either al Qaeda al Qaeda oror martyr martyr

together withtogether with Strong contra-


B) dimensions of identityB) dimensions of identity

Strong sympathiser Strong sympathiser - at - at least least 99 of 10 ‘Islamist’ of 10 ‘Islamist’ values and beliefs values and beliefs endorsed, of which at least endorsed, of which at least 8 8 are core dimensions of are core dimensions of identityidentity

Moderate sympathiserModerate sympathiser –at –at least least 88 ‘Islamist’ values and ‘Islamist’ values and beliefs endorsed, of which beliefs endorsed, of which at least at least 22 are core are core dimensions of identitydimensions of identity

Weak sympathiser Weak sympathiser - at least - at least 77 ‘Islamist’ values and ‘Islamist’ values and beliefs endorsed, of which beliefs endorsed, of which at least at least 11 is a core is a core dimension of identitydimension of identity


‘Myopic’ strong, moderate, or weak radical-Islamist sympathiser: Criteria in terms of –

A) Identification



identification with only Government ignoring the wider community of British Christians and Jews


Strong sympathiser - at least 9 of 10 ‘Islamist’ values and beliefs endorsed, of which at least 8 are core dimensions of identity

Moderate sympathiser – at least 8 ‘Islamist’ values and beliefs endorsed, of which at least 2 are core dimensions of identity

Weak sympathiser - at least 7 ‘Islamist’ values and beliefs endorsed, of which at least 1 is a core dimension of identity


‘Symbolic adherent’ Islamist sympathiser: Criteria in terms of –

A) Identification

Strong identification (idealistic & empathetic) with one or other Islamic agent – either al Qaeda or martyr

but No strong contra-

identification with Government and the wider community of British Christians and Jews


General absence of endorsement of ‘Islamist’ values and beliefs


‘Civil anti-infidel’ Muslim: Criteria in terms of –

A) Identification

No strong identification (idealistic & empathetic) with Islamic agents – either al Qaeda or martyr

but Strong contra-



At least 6 of the 10 ‘Islamist’ construct texts to be endorsed but none as core dimensions

At least 3 of the 4 ‘civil’ construct texts to be endorsed as core dimensions


Strongly anti radical-Islamist: Criteria in terms of –

A) Identification

Strong contra-identification with both Islamic agents – al Qaeda and martyr

and Weak empathetic

identification with both Islamic agents – al Qaeda and martyr

B) Dimensions of identity

At least 3 of the 4 ‘British’ construct texts to be endorsed, at least 2 of which to be core dimensions


Moderately and partially anti radical-Islamist: Criteria in terms of –

A) Identification

Strong contra-identification with one or other Islamic agent – either al Qaeda or martyr

and Weak empathetic

identification with one or other Islamic agent – either al Qaeda or martyr

B) Dimensions of identity

Moderately anti - At least 2 of the 4 ‘British’ construct texts to be endorsed, at least 1 of which to be a core dimension

Partially anti - At least 2 of the 4 ‘British’ construct texts to be endorsed, but none as core


Within-community encapsulation: Criteria in terms of –

Ego-involvement

Within own community: High with oneself when being with one’s own community and high with members of one’s own community, such as parents, closest friend and influential community leader

Beyond own community: Low with oneself when with the broader society and low with the broader society of Government, local decision makers, British Christians and British Jews


Pilot findings to datePilot findings to date

‘Anti-infidel’ radical-Islamist activist: 0

‘Myopic’ radical-Islamist activist: 0

Strong ‘anti-infidel’ radical-Islamist sympathiser: 0

Moderate ‘anti-infidel’ radical-Islamist sympathiser: 0

Weak ‘anti-infidel’ radical-Islamist sympathiser: 1



Strong ‘myopic’ radical-Islamist sympathiser: 1

Moderate ‘myopic’ radical-Islamist sympathiser: 1

Weak ‘myopic’ radical-Islamist sympathiser: 0

‘Symbolic adherent’ Islamist sympathiser: 2



‘Civil anti-infidel’ Muslim: 1

Strongly anti radical-Islamist: 3

Moderately anti radical-Islamist: 1

Partially anti radical-Islamist: : 2

Within-community encapsulation: 1


Some conclusionsSome conclusions

Muslim youth are not monolithic identikits, even when disaffected and subject to referral agencies

The socio-historical context of the era is evident

Identity processes that incorporate societal groups and agencies in context are fundamental to political processes

The interdisciplinary ISA conceptual framework contributes to analysing such identity processes


Resources

See: www.identityexploration.com

(c) peter weinreich, march 2010 1 extreme islamist and anti-extremist muslims: identity processes...

Documents

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appraisal identity

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identity exploration

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agentic selfc peter

mood statesc peter weinreich