Countering Extremism Directive

The Countering Extremism Directive (CED) confronts the growing threat of domestic extremism by using psychological science to prevent radicalization and promote resilience.

Mindbridge’s CED conducts cutting-edge research that applies cognitive, emotional, and social psychological principles to understand the drivers behind extremist ideology with an eye towards developing evidence-based interventions.

By centering community resilience alongside individual psychology, the CED bridges the gap between academic research and real-world application.

Confronting Extremism with Psychology + Purpose

“This is a psychological crisis, and an effective response must be built on psychological science, social resilience, and a commitment to rebuilding belonging in fractured communities.”
— Laura Ligouri, Founder, Mindbridge

Initiative Overview

  • The Psychology Behind Radicalization

    At its core, radicalization is not about ideology — it’s about psychology. People have a deep need to belong and to feel that their lives matter (1). When that sense of meaning or belonging is threatened, whether real or perceived, by isolation, injustice, or loss of status, individuals can experience a profound feeling of insignificance.

    Significance Quest Theory (SQT) helps explain how this happens. It shows that every person is motivated by a desire for personal significance (2). When those needs are unmet, people may turn toward groups or movements that promise to restore what feels lost.

    Extremist movements exploit this search for meaning. They validate people’s frustrations, offer simple explanations for complex problems, and provide a sense of belonging that transforms pain into purpose (3). But this belonging comes at a cost: it often divides the world into “us versus them,” reinforcing cycles of anger and alienation.

    By understanding these psychological mechanisms, Mindbridge’s Countering Extremism Directive seeks to transform vulnerability into resilience by helping individuals and communities find meaning through connection, not conflict.

    References:

    (1) Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “What” and “Why” of Goal Pursuits: Human Needs and the Self-Determination of Behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01

    (2) Kruglanski, A. W., Molinario, E., Jasko, K., Webber, D., Leander, N. P., & Pierro, A. (2022). Significance-quest theory. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 17(4), 1050–1071.

    (3) Hogg, M. A. (2014). From uncertainty to extremism: Social categorization and identity processes. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 23(5), 338–342. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721414540168Looking for more resources? XXXX

    • The CED team is investigating how perceptions of personal significance and endorsement of traditional gender roles shape attitudes among conservative women in the U.S., drawing on Significance Quest Theory. This research seeks to identify the psychological mechanisms that lead women toward more extremist ideology and engagement in online spaces, with direct implications for prevention and deradicalization strategies.

    • The Mindbridge Institute is conducting educational programming to deepen public understanding of the psychological forces that drive radicalization and to promote community-based approaches that strengthen social cohesion and bridge divides.

    • Additional studies and training initiatives are underway as the CED continues to expand its research portfolio and apply psychological science to the prevention of extremism.

    • Talk at the Global Counterterrorism Forum:  Laura Ligouri, founder of Mindbridge, discussed how psychological and neurobiologically informed approaches can strengthen counterterrorism efforts, including strategies to address racially and ethnically motivated violent extremism (REMVE).

    • Public Awareness Building: Mindbridge Institute’s courses raise public understanding of the psychological factors underlying radicalization and extremism.

    • Implicit Bias Project Report: This report synthesizes research on the psychology of extremism, explores deradicalization strategies, and fosters community discussion in Maine.

    • APA Poster (2025): The CED team presented research on psychological mechanisms driving women toward far-right extremism in online spaces at the 2025 APA conference.

    For more information and to access full reports, please contact us.

  • The Mindbridge Research & Evaluation Department partners with human rights defenders to design and implement original research programs to further their work's impact and achieve their goals.

    Our team acts as the connecting point, catalyzing innovative research directions to investigate and bridge human rights work and social science approaches. Many of our past and current initiatives have been successful partnerships of affiliate labs for strength in knowledge, capacity, and resources.

    Learn more here