Humberto M. Trujillo

Optimizing network attacks by artificial bee colony

Abstract Over the past few years, the task of conceiving effective attacks to complex networks has arisen as an optimization problem. Attacks are modelled as the process of removing a number k of vertices, from the graph that represents the network, and the goal is to maximise or minimise the value of a predefined metric over the graph. In this work, we present an optimization problem that concerns the selection of nodes to be removed to minimise the maximum betweenness centrality value of the residual graph. This metric evaluates the participation of the nodes in the communications through the shortest paths of the network. To address the problem we propose an artificial bee colony algorithm, which is a swarm intelligence approach inspired in the foraging behaviour of honeybees. In this framework, bees produce new candidate solutions for the problem by exploring the vicinity of previous ones, called food sources. The proposed method exploits useful problem knowledge in this neighbourhood exploration by considering the partial destruction and heuristic reconstruction of selected solutions. The performance of the method, with respect to other models from the literature that can be adapted to face this problem, such as sequential centrality-based attacks, module-based attacks, a genetic algorithm, a simulated annealing approach, and a variable neighbourhood search, is empirically shown.

Radicalization in Prisons? Field Research in 25 Spanish Prisons

This article has two principal objectives: (1) to study the behavioral dimensions of Muslim prisoners which predict their Islamist radicalism and (2) to study whether the behavior manifested by them is higher in prisons with a greater concentration of Muslims and a higher presence of prisoners convicted for Islamist terrorism than in prisons with fewer Muslims and no convicted Islamist terrorists. We conclude that some Spanish prisons may provide favorable social environments for jihadist radicalism and that the questionnaire utilized is a useful diagnostic tool for evaluating the magnitude of this phenomenon.

The Road to Extremism: Field and Experimental Evidence That Significance Loss-Induced Need for Closure Fosters Radicalization.

The present studies examined the hypothesis that loss of personal significance fuels extremism via the need for cognitive closure. Situations of significance loss—those that make one feel ashamed, humiliated, or demeaned—are inconsistent with the desire for a positive self-image, and instill a sense of uncertainty about the self. Consequently, individuals become motivated to seek certainty and closure that affords the restoration of personal significance. Extremist ideologies should thus increase in appeal, because they promise clear-cut strategies for such restoration. These notions were supported in a series of studies ranging from field surveys of political extremists imprisoned in the Philippines (Study 1) and Sri Lanka (Study 2) to experiments conducted with American samples (Studies 3–4). Implications of these findings are considered for the psychology of extremism, and for approaches to counterradicalization, and deradicalization.

Hacia una mejor comprensión psicológica del terrorismo: reclutamiento, ideología y violencia

Resumen El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar cómo se desarrolla y mantiene el comportamiento violento terrorista. Los contenidos se estructuran desde un modelo global de utilidad para explicar y predecir los actos violentos de los terroristas. Fundamentalmente, se pretende dar respuesta a las siguientes preguntas: ¿ quées la violencia terrorista?, ¿cómo afecta la ideología al comportamiento violento?, ¿qué distingue a los extremistas que actúan violentamente de aquellos que no lo hacen?, y, ¿cómo se forman y se mantienen funcionalmente las organizaciones terroristas?. Se estudia el papel que juega la ideología y, así, la secuencia de procesos psicológicos que favorecen el desarrollo y mantenimiento del comportamiento violento de los terroristas y cómo aquélla, junto con ciertos factores y argumentos justificativos y legitimadores de la agresión, favorece la realización de actos violentos de terrorismo. Se analiza el reclutamiento y el liderazgo como procesos básicos, respectivamente, para la formación y mantenimiento funcional de un grupo terrorista.

Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the activism and radicalism intention scale / Propiedades psicométricas de la versión española de la escala de intención de activismo y radicalismo

Abstract The purpose of this study is to adapt the Activism and Radicalism Intention Scale to Spanish. To do so, two studies were performed. In the first, which had a sample of 514 participants, the instrument was adapted to Spanish and a confirmatory factorial analysis was conducted. The psychometric results obtained were similar to those of the original version, and the scale’s two-dimensional structure was replicated. In the second study, the psychometric characteristics of the original instrument were also replicated, but in this case with a sample of 133 participants comprised of sympathizers and activists in the 15-M anti-austerity movement. Regarding the validity of the scale, both studies provide evidence on the coherence of the construct in terms of both its internal structure and its theoretical relationship with other psychosocial variables. The reliability of the instrument obtained in both samples studied was acceptable. In short, this study presents a tool in Spanish which can be useful for studying individuals’ and groups’ predisposition towards more or less violent political mobilization.

Spanish version of the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS) / Versión española de la Escala de Inteligencia Cultural (EIC)

Abstract In recent years, the concept of cultural intelligence has received increasing attention by researchers and professionals because of its theoretical and practical importance. To understand why some individuals adapt more effectively than others to culturally different social contexts has become a goal with implications for education, recruitment and the prevention of social conflict. The goal of this study was to adapt the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS) to Spanish. To do so, two studies were carried out. In the first, the psychometric properties generated by the CQS on a Spanish sample (N = 413) were analysed. In the second study, a confirmatory replication of the factor structure and reliability of the CQS was performed with a different Spanish sample (N = 526) from the first study. The results indicated that the Spanish version of the Cultural Intelligence Scale can be considered a useful and appropriate tool to be used with psychometric guarantees in the Spanish-speaking population.

Intention of activism and radicalism among Muslim and Christian youth in a marginal neighbourhood in a Spanish city / Intención de activismo y radicalismo de jóvenes musulmanes y cristianos residentes en un barrio marginal de una ciudad española

Abstract The aim of this research is to assess the intended level of religious and political activism and radicalism in a sample of Muslim and Christian youth living in a marginalised neighbourhood in a southern city in Spain. Interrelations between activism and radicalism and other psychosocial factors potentially contributing to religious and political mobilisation processes are analysed, such as group identification, self-esteem, violent disinhibition, religious extremism and perceived oppression. Important differences in religious and national identification were found. Muslims scored higher in a statistically significant way on various indicators of religious extremism. Both perceived oppression and shared ideology inside the endogroup seem to be contributing factors to having an intention of radicalism in the Muslim group where social identity anchored in religion prevails. These results point to the fact that there is a polarisation that can serve as the threshold of conflict and radical mobilisation in the critical context analysed. The results are discussed within the framework of previous research into psychology of radicalisation and terrorism.

Effect of the content of a news item on Spaniards’ attitudes towards Palestinians and Israelis / Efecto del contenido de una noticia sobre la actitud de los españoles hacia palestinos e israelíes

Abstract Based on the effects of framing on audience opinion, the attitudes towards Palestinians and Israelis are evaluated when a news item reports on a violent event between the two sides. To do so, a short inter-group experiment was conducted. A 3 (manipulation of the news item) x 2 (group evaluated) design was applied. Three news formats were presented: (1) about a Palestinian attack on Israel; (2) about an Israeli attack on Palestine; (3) no news item. Half of the participants evaluated the Israelis while the other half evaluated the Palestinians. The results of the study, which was performed with a Spanish sample (N = 319), showed that there were no differences in the evaluation of the group according to the group evaluated, although there were differences according to the manipulation of the news item: in both conditions in which one group attacked another, the group evaluated was rated more negatively than the control group. The results also showed that both emotions and stereotypes mediated the effects of framing on prejudice. These results suggest that the participants’ attitude seems to depend more on the violent framing of the news items than on the role assigned to each group and that emotional processes and stereotypes are what regulate these attitudes.

From Oppression to Violence: The Role of Oppression, Radicalism, Identity, and Cultural Intelligence in Violent Disinhibition

Violent radicalization and terrorism continue to pose social and security problems. Starting from the theoretical framework offered by the significance quest theory, the purpose of this research was to analyze the different roles that radical intentions play in the relationship between the loss of significance and violent disinhibition in Muslims and non-Muslims. For this reason, we carried out two studies: the first one with 133 Muslims and 126 non-Muslims, and the second with 98 Muslims and 167 non-Muslims. Specifically, we measured how perceived oppression influenced violent disinhibition through radical intentions. Secondly, we also measured the impact of identity and cultural intelligence in these relations. The main finding of the research was that there was an indirect effect of perceived oppression on violent disinhibition through radical intentions in the Muslim sample, whereas, in the non-Muslim sample, the effect of perceived oppression on violent disinhibition was not mediated by radical intentions. These results were replicated in both studies. Additionally, we found that identity and culture were factors that moderated the proposed relations. This work therefore shows that the conjunction of the loss of significance and radical intentions seems to strongly exacerbate the likelihood of a process of violent disinhibition for those who are considered to be in marginal contexts. Overall, different pathways and intervening factors are in the process of radicalizing Muslims and non-Muslims in Western societies.

How to evaluate the accident data for older drivers? Age, gender and gravity of accidents: a new estimation of driving frequency based on litres of fuel consumed

Published online: 2 May 2012 # Etrasa 2012 Abstract In order to assess the accident rate of older drivers and judge the severity of the figures in this and other age and gender groups, the analysis of a new estimation rate has been developed. The current re- search proposes a new pro rata estimation rate relating the raw data on number of accidents to driving fre- quency, taking into account the number of litres of fuel put in the tank. That is, the raw accident rates of older drivers are low, but the estimation shows a dangerous increase when their low driving frequency is taken into account. This new index shows that it is not only the pro rata accident rates of young drivers that are worrying. The strategies of older drivers (cautious driving) are unable to compensate satisfactorily for the deterioration in their psychomotor driving skills in order to guarantee safe driving. Previous studies have calculated the accident rate using subjective