The Social and Neurological Construction of Martyrdom
Principal Investigator: Robert Pape, University of Chicago
Years of Award: 2015-2022
Managing Service Agency: Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Project Description:
We aim to develop the first comprehensive social and neurological understanding of how extremist organizations propagate their messages and which audiences are most susceptible.
Key tasks:
1) Compare strategies various violent extremist organizations use to construct cultures of martyrdom supporting their goals.
2) Use fMRI of individuals viewing martyr videos to investigate the pathways by which martyrdom appeals evoke sympathy and to identify characteristics that moderate persuasive effects on beliefs.
5) Expand fMRI subject pool beyond Chicago to audiences "proximate to conflict areas"
3, 4, 6) Collaborate, study more VEOs, disseminate contributions