Psychology of Terrorism

Classic and Contemporary Insights

• Edited by Jeff Victoroff, Arie W. Kruglanski

Substate terrorism now represents one of the gravest threats to human civilizations. As the frequency of interstate wars has declined since the end of WWII, terrible violence against innocent civilians is increasingly perpetrated by non-state groups with extreme agendas and virtually no restraints. Why do people become terrorists? Are terrorists crazy? Simply evil? Normal people driven to extremes? What social factors and tensions are most likely to provoke terrorist behaviors? And how can we use our rapidly growing understanding of the psychology of terrorism to anticipate the coming attacks and protect the international community?

Psychology of Terrorism is a definitive collection of the best classic and contemporary writings about the mind of the terrorist. Carefully selected by a panel of world-renowned authorities for value and readability, this collection provides the reader with deep knowledge and unique insights into the ideas, feelings, and social influences of modern terrorist groups. General readers who wish to understand this deadly phenomenon, students and scholars of human psychology or political science, and decision makers facing the challenge of designing effective counterterrorism policies will enjoy and profit from these essential readings and the inescapable conclusion they suggest: by ignoring the psychology of terrorism, Western nations have been making grave errors in the so-called war on terrorism. Understanding the deep roots of terrorist behaviors gives us tools that are absolutely vital to any effort in reducing this escalating threat.

Published March 11th 2009 by Psychology Press.

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Language and Communication

Key Readings

• Edited by Gun R. Semin

This volume covers key readings that have inspired and advanced a social psychological understanding of the intricate relationships between language, thinking, and communication. These readings also trace the way in which our understanding of this relationship has changed over time and provide an insight into the complex but fascinating interplay between language, cognition and communication. Understanding the diverse facets of this interface and how it has evolved is of crucial importance, since language and communication enter not only every aspect of our mundane daily lives, but also our research, theorizing, and scientific communication.

Published December 1st 2009 by Psychology Press.

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