The
Virginia jihad transcripts were studied and systematically coded to identify text segments
that contained behaviors associated with Islamic radicalization. Coded data were
analyzed through a process known as explanation building, which revealed five
behavioral themes positively associated with Islamic radicalization: (a) social networks,
(b) spiritual leadership, (c) moral outrage over world events, (d) connection to the real
jihad, and (e) facilitation by the Internet.