This and the forthcoming issue of "Communiqué" feature a two-part series covering the path youth may take toward and away from violent extremism. This first part sheds light on violent extremism, a timely and often misunderstood topic among school psychologists, related professionals and the public. Research suggests that it generally is not hate-based rhetoric that leads youth toward extremist groups. Instead, such groups tend to exploit developmentally normal psychosocial needs of disaffected youth while playing on their psychological vulnerabilities. Essentially, extremist groups reaffirm a sense of identity, provide a community, and inculcate a life purpose for members through espousing a black-and-white or us versus them world view, displacing frustration and anger, and scapegoating perceived out-groups. The second part of this series, which will be published in the forthcoming issue of "Communiqué," will examine how youth can be deradicalized as well as specific ways that school psychologists can help support this process.