Abstract

With the constant coverage of today's War on Terror, Americans are bombarded with terminology and facts which suggest that terrorism is perpetrated by crazed individuals of Middle Eastern decent. In reality, terrorism has a far more complex history. By reviewing characteristics of terrorism, we can apply basic principles of psychological research to help us understand the underlying causes of terrorism. This information can potentially aid us in helping victims of terror, guiding responses to terrorism, and preventing individuals from joining terrorist organizations. In this thesis, I will attempt to review the existing literature on the psychology of terrorism and evaluate certain theories in detail which may be useful in understanding the roots of terrorist acts as well as the reactions of victims of terrorism.