Perspective | Special Issue: Psychology of Violent Extremism

Why the ‘salad bar of ideologies’ does not help us understand contemporary violent extremism

John Horgan

https://doi.org/10.56296/aip00057
Published: June 16, 2026
Copyright: The authors (CC BY 4.0)

Horgan, J. & Shayler, M. (2026). Why the ‘salad bar of ideologies’ does not help us understand contemporary violent extremism. advances.in/psychology, 1, e607682. https://doi.org/10.56296/aip00057

Horgan, John, and Morgan Shayler. "Why the ‘salad bar of ideologies’ does not help us understand contemporary violent extremism." advances.in/psychology, vol. 1, no. 1, 2026, e607682. https://doi.org/10.56296/aip00057.

Horgan, John, and Morgan Shayler. 2026. "Why the ‘salad bar of ideologies’ does not help us understand contemporary violent extremism." advances.in/psychology 1 (1): e607682. https://doi.org/10.56296/aip00057.

Horgan J, Shayler M. Why the ‘salad bar of ideologies’ does not help us understand contemporary violent extremism. advances.in/psychology. 2026;1(1):e607682. doi:10.56296/aip00057.

Horgan, J. and Shayler, M. (2026) 'Why the ‘salad bar of ideologies’ does not help us understand contemporary violent extremism', advances.in/psychology, 1(1), e607682. Available at: https://doi.org/10.56296/aip00057.

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This paper considers the apparent rise in what is being called ‘salad bar’ extremism. Behind the popularity of this and a plethora of related terms is not just a recognition of certain terrorist actors appearing to align with multiple, sometimes contradictory ideological content, but also confusion over what this means for everything from classification to response. We reflect on developments to date and conclude that while there is little merit in the term ‘salad bar’ for understanding recent developments in terrorism, extremism, or related issues, there remains an urgent need for conceptual clarity and terminological consistency in navigating today’s rapidly changing threat landscape. We believe this popular term overstates the novelty of most of what is purportedly captured by it, and contextualize the recent proliferation of terms by emphasizing the need to understand rapidly changing online ecosystems, the diminishing influence of strict, hierarchical organization(s), and the central role of conspiracy in driving and sustaining many if not most forms of violent extremism today. Though we are currently hampered by a lack of empirical evidence on the phenomena encompassed and implied by ‘salad bar’ extremism, we offer a simple alternative typology for researchers and practitioners alike, concluding with modest recommendations for navigating these issues as this evidence base continues to emerge.

Perliger, A. (2026). The erosion of conceptual clarity in the study of political violence. advances in/psychology, 1(1), e824472. https://doi.org/10.56296/aip00059
Baele, S. J. (2026). Why the ‘salad bar’ might actually help extremism research – A reply to Horgan and Shayler. advances in/psychology, 1(1), e359159. https://doi.org/10.56296/aip00060
Cassam, Q. (2026). Extremism without ideology. advances in/psychology, 1(1), e945134. https://doi.org/10.56296/aip00062
McCauley, C. (2026). The end of ideological violence. advances in/psychology, 1(1), e145270. https://doi.org/10.56296/aip00066
Rousseau, C., & Veissière, S. P. L. (2026). Shifts and continuity in contemporary violent extremism: Moving toward a dynamic and developmental understanding? advances in/psychology, 1(1), e631837. https://doi.org/10.56296/aip00068

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