Deradicalization in response to social experiences in youth in Hong Kong

Chau-kiu Cheung*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

Abstract

Purpose - The study aims to examine the effectiveness of socially available measures such as concessive messaging, deradicalizing messaging, punishment, and reward in deradicalization, which remains theoretically debatable and empirically unclear and concern social policymakers. 
Design/methodology/approach - This study surveyed 4,385 Chinese youths in Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, to clarify the effectiveness. 
Findings - Results show that receiving concessive messages about radicalism raised radicalism in 2020. Meanwhile, receiving deradicalization messages and rewards reduced radicalism. Receiving punishments for radicalism reduced radicalism when radicalism in 2019 had been high. 
Originality/value - These results support social learning theory and imply its usefulness for deradicalization. That is, deradicalization can rely on messaging countering as opposed to conceding to radicalism and reinforcement for deradicalization and against radicalism.
© Emerald Publishing Limited
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)643-660
JournalInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policy
Volume43
Issue number7/8
Online published16 Aug 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Jun 2023

Bibliographical note

Full text of this publication does not contain sufficient affiliation information. With consent from the author(s) concerned, the Research Unit(s) information for this record is based on the existing academic department affiliation of the author(s).

Research Keywords

  • Concession
  • Counter-messaging
  • Deradicalization
  • Radicalism
  • Reinforcement

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