TY - JOUR
T1 - Language profile of lone actor terrorist manifestos
T2 - a mixed methods analysis
AU - Siggery, Alice
AU - Hunt, Daniel
AU - Tzani, Calli
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Society for Terrorism Research.
PY - 2022/9/25
Y1 - 2022/9/25
N2 - Attempts to profile behavioural factors of lone actor terrorists have resulted in inconclusive data arguing that the wide range of individual characteristics makes it difficult to categorise lone actor terrorists. Instead, research should investigate the methods used by lone actor terrorists such as the release of a manifesto. The present study used a mixed methods approach to analyse manifestos created by lone actor terrorists (n = 19). Smallest Space Analysis of the language variables within lone actor terrorist manifestos was used to identify three language typologies: Instigator, Planner, and Conspiracy typologies. Findings indicate that 89% of the case studies reviewed were able to be categorised into a typology based on the language used. Further analysis identified key language variables that can be found within the manifestos in each typology combined with behavioural factors to develop a language profile of each typology. Applications of the research are also discussed as well as limitations and future areas of research development.
AB - Attempts to profile behavioural factors of lone actor terrorists have resulted in inconclusive data arguing that the wide range of individual characteristics makes it difficult to categorise lone actor terrorists. Instead, research should investigate the methods used by lone actor terrorists such as the release of a manifesto. The present study used a mixed methods approach to analyse manifestos created by lone actor terrorists (n = 19). Smallest Space Analysis of the language variables within lone actor terrorist manifestos was used to identify three language typologies: Instigator, Planner, and Conspiracy typologies. Findings indicate that 89% of the case studies reviewed were able to be categorised into a typology based on the language used. Further analysis identified key language variables that can be found within the manifestos in each typology combined with behavioural factors to develop a language profile of each typology. Applications of the research are also discussed as well as limitations and future areas of research development.
KW - Smallest Space Analysis
KW - forensic linguistics
KW - lone actor terrorism
KW - manifesto analysis
KW - Terrorism
KW - smallest space analysis
KW - Lone actor terrorism
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85139029754&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/19434472.2022.2126875
DO - 10.1080/19434472.2022.2126875
M3 - Article
JO - Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression
JF - Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression
SN - 1943-4472
ER -