Understanding Terrorism brings the many resources of psychological science and practice to bear on the problem of terrorism by providing empirically based theory and interventions for understanding, intervening, and preventing this challenge to international security.

The volume addresses many of the conceptual and definitional issues associated with terrorism, especially those arising from the complex historical and cultural variations in its meaning, motives, and consequences. Terrorism, by definition, attempts to change the psychological state of its targets, so psychologists are well positioned to cast light on this phenomenon. In this volume, leading international experts offer an incisive analysis of the psychosocial basis of terrorism and suggest ways to prevent it, including both strategies to eliminate the conditions that give rise to terrorism as well as effective ways to treat victims of terrorism.

Social and clinical psychologists, social scientists, social workers, and lawmakers will find this volume to be indispensable.