A model docking system for understanding radicalization

Modeling behavior related to radicalization and terrorism is extremely complex. Consequently, the development of computational approaches to support an understanding of behavioral underpinnings that lead up to radicalization is a significant undertaking and necessitates either a decomposition of behavioral activity into smaller, more manageable behaviors or generalizing larger, group behavior so that only gross trends may be observed. While these approaches may suffice for particular applications, additional consideration should be given to developing more comprehensive or whole-system modeling approaches so as to inform decision-makers in making complex judgments. Specifically for those seeking to understand and stop terrorism, a number of social, cultural, and behavioral perspectives are being developed by experts worldwide. Our research seeks to develop computational methods to analyze and experiment with differing views, opinions, and perspectives of potential influences on adversarial behavior by providing the capability to `dock' or integrate models. We demonstrate how this ability allows for a multi-scale comprehension of the factors that contribute to radicalization.