De Gruyter Handbook of the Psychology of Terrorism

This handbook offers readers an overview, including policy implications, of research into the psychology of radicalization, terrorism, and response to terrorism. The Editors, themselves leading terrorism scholars, introduce psychological theories of terrorist behavior, examining both risk and protective factors, the role of leadership, environments that can be identified as radicalization breeding grounds, as well as the way that emotions impact radicalization and terrorism.

The book not only looks at recent directions of radicalization, and how we can assess or predict their potential for terrorist violence, but also at the latest programs of deradicalization and the psychological tools they employ.

Clark McCauley is Research Professor of Psychology at Bryn Mawr College. His research interests include stereotypes, group dynamics, and the psychological foundations of ethnic conflict, terrorism, and genocide.

Sophia Moskalenko is a psychologist studying radicalization, terrorism, self-sacrifice, martyrdom, and disinformation as a Research Fellow at Georgia State University. Dr. Moskalenko has worked on projects commissioned by the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of State. She serves as a consultant to the European Commission; to NATO; and to The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, Hub for Behavioral Insights.

Gina Scott Ligon is the director of the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education (NCITE) Center, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Center of Excellence for counterterrorism research based at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Her research focuses on terrorist leaders and the organizations they manage.