DOI: 10.3886/icpsr37386.v1
title: A Comparative Study of Violent Extremism and Gangs, United States, 1948-2018

description: The study assesses the extent of commonalities between individuals who become involved in violent extremist groups and criminal gangs, and the processes by which individuals engage in each group. Following this comparison, the extent to which the empirical results support the potential for anti-gang programs to bolster the resilience of communities against violent extremism and other forms of crime is assessed. Quantitative assessment was conducted by comparing individuals included in the Profiles of Individual Radicalization in the United States (PIRUS) dataset with a subset of individuals drawn from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97) along a number of demographic, social, and socioeconomic characteristics. Supplementary survey data was also collected from 45 former and current gang members in the United States concurrently with long-form interviews, covering a range of variables including background characteristics, demographic information, and attitudes among the respondents.
description: The overarching purpose of this study is to provide an empirical assessment of the extent to which there are commonalities between the types of individuals who become involved in violent extremist groups and criminal gangs, as well as the processes by which individuals engage in each type of group. Following this comparison, the extent to which the empirical results comparing violent extremist group members and gangs support the potential for anti-gang programs to be used more generally to bolster the resilience of communities to violent extremism and other forms of crime is assessed.
description: To quantitatively assess the similarities and differences between political extremists and gang members in the United States, individuals included in the Profiles of Individual Radicalization in the United States (PIRUS) dataset with a subset of individuals drawn from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97) were compared along a number of demographic, social, and socioeconomic characteristics. Additionally, this data deposit includes supplementary survey data collected from 45 former and current gang members in the United States. The survey data were collected concurrently with long-form interviews, and address a range of variables concerning background characteristics, demographic information, and attitudes among the respondents.
description: US-Based Extremism Data Variables contained within are primarily demographic, social, and socioeconomic in nature. Individuals are anonymized and assigned a unique identifier (Subject_ID). Variables in this dataset are meant to provide a general profile of radicalized individuals along information such as gang and religious affiliation, nation of birth, and places of residence within the US. Gang Member Survey Data Variables contained within are primarily demographic, social, and socioeconomic in nature. Individuals are anonymized and assigned a unique identifier. Variables in this dataset are meant to provide a comprehensive qualitative understanding of a relatively small sample of individuals from a distinct population, including information such as socioeconomic status during childhood, gang affiliation and criminal history, and current circumstances.
description: Datasets: DS0: Study-Level Files DS1: US-Based Extremism Data DS2: Gang Member Survey Data
description: For a complete description of the PIRUS dataset, please refer to ICPSR study 36309.
description: Individuals espousing Islamist, far right, far left, or single issue ideologies who have radicalized within the United States to the point of committing ideologically motivated illegal violent or non-violent acts, joining a designated terrorist organization, or associating with an extremist organization whose leader(s) has/have been indicted of an ideologically motivated violent offense. Smallest Geographic Unit: City