| This dissertation examines individual responses to threatening conditions during times of uncertainty. Specifically, it analyzes the degree to which individuals vary in support of forceful retaliation following terror attacks. It is argued that Terror Management Theory (TMT) can help to explain why individuals experience differences in threat perception and response. This dissertation builds from this framework and hypothesizes that additional personal characteristics can also influence both perception of and response to threat. These factors include variation in levels of individual and group narcissism, empathy, behavioral inhibition and approach, and finally political ideology. An experimental design was utilized to test these hypotheses. It was concluded that exposure to threat does increase one's willingness to use force. Furthermore, it has been found that political ideology, in particular, is positively correlated with individual perceptions of threat and use of force against threats to worldview. |
