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This article discusses a study which evaluated the efficacy of the use of virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from terrorism in individuals who directly witnessed the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001. The subject showed a large reduction in both PTSD symptoms and depression after six VR sessions.

The aftermath of September 11th highlights the need to understand how emotion affects citizens' responses to risk. It also provides an opportunity to test current theories of such effects. On the basis of appraisal-tendency theory, we predicted opposite effects for anger and fear on risk judgments and policy preferences. In a nationally representative sample of Americans (N=973, ages 13–88), fear increased risk estimates and plans for precautionary measures; anger did the opposite. These patterns emerged with both experimentally induced emotions and naturally occurring ones. Males had less pessimistic risk estimates than did females, emotion differences explaining 60 to 80% of the gender difference. Emotions also predicted diverging public policy preferences. Discussion focuses on theoretical, methodological, and policy implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the public's psychological and behavioral responses to four terrorist incidents. It looks at the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the Intifada in Israel, the 1995 sarin attack on the subway system in Tokyo, and the 2001 anthrax attacks. The lessons which could be learned and applied to civil defense preparation and response mechanisms are also discussed.