Perceived impact of terrorism and the role of the media: Representations by Italian citizens differing in political orientation and need for closure

Terrorism has been increasingly viewed as a complex phenomenon imbued with political objectives and media interests. From this perspective, it is crucial to understand how terrorism is socially represented and the role the media plays in creating and molding its image. Using four scales, this study explores the following issues as they relate to normal populations who have no link to terrorism: (1) Terrorist Definitions; (2) Attitudes, Beliefs and Experiences of Terrorism; (3) Immediate Impact of Terrorism; and (4) perceived positive or negative role of the media. Moreover, the study analyzes the role of political orientation and the need for cognitive closure (NFC) in shaping one's representations of terrorism. The sample consists of 409 Italian respondents. Four analyses of main components were conducted. Subsequently, a second-order factor analysis of all four scales generated a three-factor solution that accounts for 51% of the variance. Finally, a correlational analysis of political orientation, NFC, and representations of terrorists and terrorism was performed. Results suggest that more conservative participants, who exhibited a higher NFC, view terrorists as psychologically deviant and criminal. By contrast, left-wing participants, with a lower NFC, view terrorism as a complex phenomenon linked to politics of fear and discrimination. These participants view the media as having a negative role relating to the perpetuation of terrorism. © 2014 Society for Terrorism Research.