In the wake of 9/11: The psychology of terror.
American Psychological Association eBooksPublished 1 January 2003
Tom Pyszczynski, Sheldon Solomon, Jeff Greenberg
Citations659
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Abstract
Terror in America - The Day our World Changed Terror Management Theory - An Evolutionary Existential Account of Human Behaviour Terror Management Research - Coping with Conscious and Unconscious Death Related Thoughts Terror Management Research on Prejudice and Self-Esteem Striving Black Tuesday - The Psychology Impact of 9/11 Managing the Terror The Roots of Islamic Terrorism Giving Peace a Chance In the Wake of 9/11 Rising Above the Terror.
Keywords
PsychologySocial Sciences
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