Psychology of Terrorism

by Bongar, Bruce; Brown, Lisa M.; Beutler, Larry E.; Breckenridge, James N.; Zimbardo, Philip G.

• ISBN13: 9780195172492
• ISBN10: 0195172493
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-09-07
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

During the past decade, we have witnessed a dramatic transformation in the nature and uses of terrorism. In the 70s, it was often repeated that terrorists "want a lot of people watching, not a lot of people dead"; today, it is more accurate to say that terrorists want a lot of people dead, and even more people crippled by fear and grief. A major strategic intent of modern terrorists is to use larger scale physical attacks to cause stress in the general population. These changes in terrorist strategy have made it clear that we need better psychological and social responses to terrorism and man-made disasters. The psychological science needed to provide proper and effective treatment for victims of horrendous events, such as September 11th, and future potential terrorist acts, simply does not exist, so military, medical, and psychological experts must work together to improve their understanding of mass casualty terrorism. In Psychology of Terrorism leading national and international experts present the first results of this effort, including the newest findings on treatment of and clinical responses to terrorism along with their respective underlying theories. They address the history of terrorism; types and effects of weapons of mass destruction or disruption; the role of the military, government agencies, and volunteer groups in responding to terrorist threats; psychological consequences of terrorism; and treatment of special populations such as children and older adults. This volume will be an ideal text for both academic and professional courses as well as a comprehensive resource for mental health clinicians and researchers, medical care providers, educators, public health specialists, government employees, police and fire departments, and non-profit agencies that provide services and craft policy.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Gerald P. Koocher	vii
Contributors	xv
I. The Psychology of Terrorism
The Psychology of Terrorism: Defining the Need and Describing the Goals	3	(10)
Bruce Bongar
Psychological Issues in Understanding Terrorism and the Response to Terrorism	13	(19)
Clark McCauley
The Need for Proficient Mental Health Professionals in the Study of Terrorism	32	(24)
Larry E. Beutler
Gil Reyes
Zeno Franco
Jennifer Housley
War Versus Justice in Response to Terrorist Attacks: Competing Frames and Their Implications	56	(13)
Clark McCauley
II. Terrorism
The Staircase to Terrorism: A Psychological Exploration	69	(12)
Fathali M. Moghaddam
Terrorism and the Media	81	(6)
Joel N. Shurkin
What Is Terrorism? Key Elements and History	87	(14)
Scott Gerwehr
Kirk Hubbard
Psychological Aspects of Suicide Terrorism	101	(15)
Ariel Merari
The Strategy of Terrorism and the Psychology of Mass-Mediated Fear	116	(21)
James N. Breckenridge
Philip G. Zimbardo
III. Consequences of Terrorism
The Role of Religion, Spirituality, and Faith-Based Community in Coping With Acts of Terrorism	137	(16)
Timothy A. Kelly
Psychological Consequences of Actual or Threatened CBRNE Terrorism	153	(11)
Glenn R. Sullivan
Bruce Bongar
Psychological Weapons of Mass Disruption Through Vicarious Classical Conditioning	164	(11)
Dennis D. Embry
Near- and Long-Term Psychological Effects of Exposure to Terrorist Attacks	175	(19)
Susan E. Brandon
Andrew P. Silke
The Response of Relief Organizations to Terrorist Attacks: An Overview of How the Red Cross and Other Relief Organizations Work in Conjunction With Other Agencies	194	(13)
John A. Clizbe
Susan Hamilton
Understanding How Organizational Bias Influenced First Responders at the World Trade Center	207	(9)
Joseph W. Pfeifer
Warfare, Terrorism, and Psychology	216	(9)
L. Morgan Banks
Larry C. James
IV. Assessment and Treatment
Terrorism Stress Risk Assessment and Management	225	(22)
Douglas Paton
John M. Violanti
Evidence-Based Interventions for Survivors of Terrorism	247	(26)
Josef I. Ruzek
Shira Maguen
Brett T. Litz
Neurobiological and Behavioral Consequences of Terrorism: Distinguishing Normal From Pathological Responses, Risk Profiling, and Optimizing Resilience	273	(15)
Rachel Yehuda
Richard Bryant
Joseph Zohar
Charles R. Marmar
Older Adults and Terrorism	288	(23)
Lisa M. Brown
Donna Cohen
Joy R. Kohlmaier
Children and Terrorism: A Family Psychoeducational Approach	311	(27)
Maureen Underwood
John Kalafat
Nicci Spinazolla
Cultural Considerations: Caring for Culturally Diverse Communities in the Aftermath of Terrorist Attacks	338	(19)
David Chiriboga
The Psychological Consequences of Terrorist Alerts	357	(16)
Rose McDermott
Philip G. Zimbardo
V. Prevention and Psychological Problems in Reaction to Acts of Terrorism
Defusing the Terrorism of Terror	373	(27)
A. J. W. Taylor
Psychological Resilience in the Face of Terrorism	400	(18)
Lisa D. Butler
Leslie A. Morland
Gregory A. Leskin
Promoting Resilience and Recovery in First Responders	418	(16)
Richard Gist
Integrating Medical, Public Health, and Mental Health Assets into a National Response Strategy	434	(18)
Dori B. Reissman
Stephan G. Reissman
Brian W. Flynn
Reflections on the Psychology of Terrorism	452	(7)
Laura Pratchett
Lisa M. Brown
Bruce Bongar
Appendix: Resources in Psychology of Terrorism	459	(8)
Matteo Bertoni
Brynne Johannsen
Glossary	467	(8)
Index	475