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Two psychological perspectives on terrorism are distinguished, approaching it as a ‘‘syndrome’’ and as a ‘‘tool,’’ respectively. According to the ‘‘syndrome’’ view, ter rorism represents a psychologically meaningful construct with identifiable character istics on individual and group levels of analysis. According to the ‘‘tool’’ perspective, terrorism represents a strategic instrument that any party in a conflict with another may use. Research thus far has found little support for the ‘‘syndrome’’ view. Ter rorists do not seem to be characterized by a unique set of psychological traits or pathologies. Nor has research uncovered any particular ‘‘root causes’’ of terrorism. The vast heterogeneity of terrorism’s users is consistent with the ‘‘tool’’ view, afford ing an analysis of terrorism in terms of means-ends psychology. The ‘‘tool’’ view implies conditions under which potential perpetrators may find terrorism more or less appealing, hence offering guidance for the ‘‘war on terrorism.’