Convert's Cognitive Development Framework
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Convert's Cognitive Development Framework
The Convert's Cognitive Development Framework was developed by Dr. Abdul Haqq Baker, a lecturer, academic, practitioner and terrorism expert with over 25 years’ experience in the field of radicalization.[1]. Dr. Baker obtained his PhD in Political Studies from the University of Exeter. His research focused on violent radicalization amongst young Muslims, converts in particular. His research culminated in the publishing of an amended version of his PhD, Extremists in Our Midst with Palgrave MacMillan.
In addition to writing for The Guardian [2] [3], Dr. Baker has been invited to speak at numerous international conferences to lecture on processes of radicalization referencing his Convert Cognitive Development Framework. These include; Demos, GFF and the UK’s Cabinet Office’s “Responding to Radicalization” conference in January 2008, Oxford UK, the National Security Forum in Washington D.C. as the Keynote speaker for “American Muslims and US Government Relations” in February 2010, the International conference on Islamic Education in Public Schools at The Hague in July 2009, The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Special Meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee with International, regional and sub-regional organizations on prevention of terrorism, 19-21 April 2011 in Strasbourg, France [4] [5] and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime in Astana, Kazakhstan on November 22-23, 2017[6].
This framework examines the stages of a Muslim's pre- and post-conversion progression or regression in order to determine any pre-existing or post-related drivers that may have contributed to an individual’s susceptibility to violent extremism [7]. “This first-class study by an insider practitioner of the British Muslim convert community in countering extremism offers an extraordinarily important counterintuitive response that challenges conventional wisdom in addressing the question of whether British Muslim converts are more susceptible to violent extremism…”, per Dr. John L. Esposito, Georgetown University Professor and founding Director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding[8]. "This is a rare, indeed unique contribution to the field of terrorism studies", says Basia Spalek, Professor in Conflict Transformation within the Department for Therapeutic Practice at the University of Derby[9][10].
Dr. Baker is a former lecturer in Terrorism Studies at the Centre for Studies in Terrorism and Political Violence (CSTPV) at University of St. Andrews and former Editor in Chief for ‘Foresight, Global Challenges and Strategies’ Inaugural edition, Centre For Pakistan and Gulf Studies [1]. He has co-authored several chapters in numerous publications [2][3] [4]. Dr. Baker is also the former chairman of the Brixton Mosque, in South London[11]. He is the founding director of STREET (Strategy To Reach Empower & Educate Teenagers), an organization dedicated to helping teenagers and young adults affected by radicalization[12]. Dr. Baker also serves as the Director of Counter-Radicalization & Counter-Extremism for The TAM Group in the US[13].
Framework
Founding (conversion) Phase
This stage of conversion addresses the formative stages of conversion and the influences or drivers that caused individuals to convert to Islam[14]. This stage also relates to individuals who are becoming more aware and familiarized with their religion. Research has indicated this stage as one where new converts and 2nd/3rd generation ‘returnees’ to Islam are most susceptible to violent radicalization and/or extremist propaganda[15].
Youthful (formative/overzealous & idealistic) Phase
The youthful phase is more idealistic and formative for individuals who have embraced Islam or reverted to the religion. This is another phase where converts or 2nd & 3rd generation returnees are considered susceptible to extremist propaganda and teachings. Overzealousness is a common feature of many conversions as, in many instances, new converts or 2nd & 3rd generation returnees possess heightened senses of self-righteousness with a desire to directly address or tackle the perceived ills of society[16]. Social affiliations, if not effected at the founding phase of conversion, can possibly still occur at this particular stage.
This stage is of concern as the individual is not grounded in the actualization of the Islamic faith due to their abstract process of learning. In most instances they have been learning via social media, books and lectures; there hasn’t been any contextualization or practical application of what has been learned. The prospect of radicalization is greatly increased if the individual’s Islamic education has been influenced from an inherently political perspective. This perspective overly emphasizes the plights that have befallen the Muslim world and how Muslims have been oppressed. This construction is especially dangerous as there is a growing body of evidence supporting the thesis that teenagers and young adults are neurologically more impulsive than children or adult peers[17] [18].
Adult (foundational) Phase
This phase looks at more established Muslim converts or 2nd & 3rd generation returnees who have practiced the religion long enough to have perhaps progressed from earlier understandings and practices of the first two phases. Their respective actualization of the religion, as opposed to practicing it in abstract, means that individuals at this phase have better understood and experienced the religion as a way of life, i.e. lived or traveled abroad to Muslim countries and engaged or participated in those societies, thereby enhancing his or her understanding and practice of Islam. This is contrary to their previous understanding and practice which, as mentioned above, was previously applied in an abstract form, i.e. learned from books, social media and videos etc. in a predominantly non-Muslim environment. Research results highlighted converts’ perceptions regarding their dual identities - being British and Muslim - alongside any conflict that this duality may have caused during this phase.
Mature (reflective) Phase
In the mature or reflective phase the individual’s perceptions may further develop or indeed, change if they have not at earlier stages of post conversion, due to a multiplicity of socio-economic, socio-cultural and/or religious factors. For example, marriage, birth of a new child or even the death of relatives or friends, (irrespective of their religion) may be contributory factors towards an individual reflecting on his or her religious understanding, practice and development. These potential drivers are similar to Anne Sofie Roald’s theory describing a three-stage conversion process which, to some extent, lends support to the four stage model explained in this writing[19].
Model Adaptation
This model has been adapted from Hudson’s work in a completely separate field from that which this framework is addressing; namely, management. However, it is proposed by Dr. Baker that it can be adapted as an effective process of charting stages of religious conversion.[20]
Framework's Practical Application
The Convert's Cognitive Development Framework is currently in use by Strategy to Reach, Empower and Educate Teenagers (STREET) organization as a method of identifying, classifying and assessing radicalized youth in the UK[21]. The Convert's Cognitive Development Framework was also used in the assessment of Jamie Paulin-Ramirez by Dr. Baker in criminal case # 10-123-02, United Sates of America vs Jamie Paulin-Ramirez [22]. Jamie Paulin-Ramirez was nicknamed Jihad Jamie by the media following her 2010 arrest and was a co-defendant Colleen LaRose, also known as “Jihad Jane”[23][24]
- ↑ Extremists in Our Midst - Confronting Terror | Abdul Haqq Baker | Palgrave Macmillan. Search this book on
- ↑ "Islam's ability to empower is a magnet to black British youths".
- ↑ "Young British Muslim converts need support to prevent another Woolwich".
- ↑ https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/events/?id=1313
- ↑ "Special meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee with International, Regional and Subregional Organizations on "Prevention of Terrorism"".
- ↑ "Presentation - Pericles Project". Pericles Project. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
- ↑ Baker, Abdul Haqq (2011). Extremists in our midst : confronting terror. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 12. ISBN 9780230296541. OCLC 709890472. Search this book on
- ↑ Baker, Abdul Haqq (2011). Extremists in our midst : confronting terror. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. Forward. ISBN 9780230296541. OCLC 709890472. Search this book on
- ↑ Extremists in Our Midst - Confronting Terror | Abdul Haqq Baker | Palgrave Macmillan. Search this book on
- ↑ username. "Basia Spalek - University of Derby". www.derby.ac.uk. Retrieved 2018-06-05.
- ↑ "Abdul Haqq Baker". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
- ↑ Baker, Abdul Haqq (2013-08-19). "Islam's ability to empower is a magnet to black British youths | Abdul Haqq Baker". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
- ↑ "ABDUL HAQQ Baker". thetamgroup.org. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
- ↑ Roald, Anne Sofie (2004). New Muslims in the European context : the experience of Scandinavian converts. Leiden: Brill. ISBN 1423711793. OCLC 60827009. Search this book on
- ↑ Baker, Abdul Haqq (2011). Extremists in our midst : confronting terror. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. Chapter 1. ISBN 9780230296541. OCLC 709890472. Search this book on
- ↑ Roald, Anne Sofie (2004). New Muslims in the European context : the experience of Scandinavian converts. Leiden: Brill. p. 160. ISBN 1423711793. OCLC 60827009. Search this book on
- ↑ "Why Teenagers Are So Impulsive". Science | AAAS. 2013-11-11. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
- ↑ "Why Teens Are Impulsive, Addiction-Prone And Should Protect Their Brains". NPR.org. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
- ↑ Roald, Anne Sofie (2004). New Muslims in the European context : the experience of Scandinavian converts. Leiden: Brill. p. 288. ISBN 1423711793. OCLC 60827009. Search this book on
- ↑ Hudson, Mike (1995). Managing without profit : the art of managing third-sector organizations (New ed.). London: Penguin. ISBN 0140269533. OCLC 40646099. Search this book on
- ↑ "Going to Extremes". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
- ↑ "Amazon.co.uk". www.amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
- ↑ Shiffman, John. "'Jihad Jamie' gets eight years in Jihad Jane case". U.S. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
- ↑ "Colorado Woman Sentenced in Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to Terrorists". FBI. Retrieved 2018-07-30.
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