WORD BOMBS: THE USE OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNTER DOMESTIC VIOLENT EXTREMISM

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dc.contributor.advisorMcGuire, Mollie R.
dc.contributor.advisorCanan, Anthony
dc.contributor.authorChedester, Jeremy J.
dc.contributor.departmentNational Security Affairs (CHDS)
dc.date.accessioned2023-02-14T04:22:25Z
dc.date.available2023-02-14T04:22:25Z
dc.date.issued2022-12
dc.description.abstractThis thesis investigates how implementing strategic communications can counter domestic violent extremist (DVE) behavior in the United States. Strategic communications use counter-messaging based on research and intelligence of the group’s behaviors and perceptions. To develop strategic communications to counter violence, this thesis explores narratives, how they work, their persuasiveness, and how emotions play a role in influencing others. Extremists use social media to propagate images depicting violence and language promoting physical violence. This thesis explores inoculation strategies, nudge theory, psychological and social approaches, and counternarratives to counter DVEs. Reasoned action theory is used as a template for determining how background information, beliefs, and intentions form extremists’ behavior and action. Four case studies are presented using DVE group examples from anarchists, Proud Boys, Boogaloo Boys, and Atomwaffen. Each case study looks at the group’s ideology, violence, social media, demographics, and narratives to better understand the group’s themes. Next, using the reasoned action theory model as well as knowledge of the group and messaging theme, the thesis provides an example of how to craft a counternarrative. This thesis recommends that government and law enforcement invest in inoculation and nudge strategies as well as artificial intelligence, and create special strategic communication teams or units.en_US
dc.description.distributionstatementApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.en_US
dc.description.serviceCivilian, Washington County Sheriff's Officeen_US
dc.identifier.curriculumcode692, Homeland Defense and Security (Hybrid)
dc.identifier.thesisid38758
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10945/71441
dc.publisherMonterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate Schoolen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is reserved by the copyright owner.en_US
dc.subject.authorcounternarrativeen_US
dc.subject.authornudgeen_US
dc.subject.authorinoculationen_US
dc.subject.authorpropagandaen_US
dc.subject.authordomestic violence extremistsen_US
dc.subject.authorDVEen_US
dc.subject.authorright-wing extremistsen_US
dc.subject.authorleft-wing extremistsen_US
dc.subject.authorwhite supremacistsen_US
dc.subject.authorboogalooen_US
dc.subject.authoranarchistsen_US
dc.subject.authorantifaen_US
dc.subject.authorproud boysen_US
dc.subject.authorreasoned action theoryen_US
dc.subject.authorsocial mediaen_US
dc.subject.authorinfluenceen_US
dc.subject.authorbehavioral analysisen_US
dc.subject.authorsocial botsen_US
dc.subject.authorartificial intelligenceen_US
dc.subject.authorviolenceen_US
dc.subject.authorcriminal behavioren_US
dc.titleWORD BOMBS: THE USE OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNTER DOMESTIC VIOLENT EXTREMISMen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dspace.entity.typePublication
etd.thesisdegree.disciplineSecurity Studies (Homeland Security and Defense)en_US
etd.thesisdegree.grantorNaval Postgraduate Schoolen_US
etd.thesisdegree.levelMastersen_US
etd.thesisdegree.nameMaster of Arts in Security Studies (Homeland Security and Defense)en_US
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