Violent Extremism: 2021 A Threat Assessment Update

Speakers: Molly Amman, JD, CTM (FBI, ret.); Reid Meloy, PhD, ABPP; Philip Saragoza, MD; Stephen G. White, PhD 

16 Continuing Education* hours available

Workshop originally delivered via Zoom in May, 2021

Domestic terrorism and extreme belief communities are on the rise in the United States as social and political polarization continues unabated. The recent attack on the US Capitol has dramatically demonstrated how serious and how dangerous these trends are in their reach and influence in our culture. Case studies will highlight the factors contributing to radicalization and culminating in the various pathways to extremist violence. Both online and on-ground investigations will be addressed, as will risk assessment instruments for targeted violence and lone actor terrorist violence.

Topics include:

• Rising prevalence of violent extremism, conspiracy theory, extreme overvalued beliefs, stochastic terrorism, including incitement to violence from political leaders.
• Specific belief systems and movements, including: accelerationism and anti-government, militia extremist movements (Boogaloo and the Oath Keepers)
• White supremacist violence and The Great Replacement theory
• The Incels and other extreme misogynists
• Present-day conspiracy theories including QAnon and COVID-19 belief systems
• Ideologically-motivated groups including Antifa and the Proud Boys; and other domestic terrorists

Continuing Education* students will be supported to:

1. Identify ideologically motivated groups in the US
2. Define warning behaviors suggestive of intended violence
3. Discuss the prevalence of extremism in the US
4. Explain the ideology of different American hate groups

Specialized Training Services, Inc. is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP^® or SHRM-SCP^® recertification activities.

Specialized Training Services is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Specialized Training Services maintains responsibility for the programs and their content.