Fear and Terrorism: Psychological Reactions to 9/11

Abstract

The ability of the terrorists who perpetrated the September 11, 2001, attacks against the US to instill fear in the American public & consequently reduce public support for retaliation & the US state's efficacy in creating support for the international war against terrorism are examined to determine the psychological effects of these attacks upon the American public. Data collected from a telephone-based national survey of American adults (N = 1,549) conducted between Oct 2001 & Mar 2002 was analyzed to illuminate Americans' psychological responses to the terrorist attacks. Sundry findings are reported; eg, a small minority of participants expressed increased levels of fear & anxiety following the attacks & that such fear of future terrorist attacks both diminished support for military actions against perpetrating terrorist groups & lowered approval of the George W. Bush administration's performance. Nevertheless, it is claimed that the terrorist attacks failed to generate sufficient fear & anxiety within the American public, thus suggesting that most Americans would support future retribution against the perpetrating terrorists groups. 6 Tables, 1 Figure, 1 Appendix, 55 References. J. W. Parker