Hi - I’m Jeremy, a 6th-year PhD. Candidate in the Department of Psychology at McGill University (Montréal).

My research focuses on the role of psychological needs (e.g. community, competence, self-image) in extremist radicalization. I leverage longitudinal analysis techniques and natural language processing to understand how a lack of these needs makes individuals susceptible to extreme ideologies, and how satisfaction of these needs retains individuals in extremist milieus.

When I’m not doing research, I can be found baking, crocheting, and teaching 16th century Italian sword fighting.

You can find my CV here!

My Research

Rappel, J. J., Vachon, D. D., & Hehman, E. (2025). Basic Psychological Needs Are Associated With Engagement and Hate Term Use in Extremist Chatrooms. Social Psychological and Personality Science. https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506251389642

Rappel, J. J., & Vachon, D. D. (2024). The role of basic psychological needs in right-wing extremism risk among American conservatives. Terrorism and Political Violence, 36(4), 533-551. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2023.2178305