The Psychological Origins of Institutionalized Torture (Routledge Research International Series in Social Psychology)

Original research, including interviews with former Greek torturers, is supplemented by discussion of former studies, military records and other sources, to provide disturbing but valuable insights into the psychology of torture. The book describes parallel situations such as the rites of passage in pre-industrial societies and cults, elite Corps military training and college hazing, eventually concluding that the torturer is not born, but made. Of essential interest to academics and students interested in social psychology and related disciplines, this book will also be extremely valuable to policy-makers, professionals working in government, and all those interested in securing and promoting human rights. Introduction -- Approach And Methodology -- The Greek Situation -- Transforming Ordinary Men Into Torturers -- Case Study Of A Chief Torturer -- Dispositional Factors In Greek Torturers : A Sufficient Explanation? -- Psychological Theories On The Origins Of Torture -- Reconstruction Processes In The Formation Of Torturers -- Parallels To Comparisons -- Epilogue. Mika Haritos-fatouros. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [250]-261) And Index. "Of essential interest to academics and students interested in social psychology and related disciplines, this book will also be extremely valuable to policy-makers, professionals working in government, and all those interested in securing and promoting human rights."--BOOK JACKET