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Torture

About: Torture is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 8173 publications have been published within this topic receiving 109895 citations.


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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is argued that any hypothesized benefits from the use of torture must be weighed against the substantial proven costs of torture, which include the unreliable information extracted through interrogations using torture, the mental and emotional toll on victims and torturers, loss of international stature and credibility, and the risk of retaliation against soldiers and civilians.
Abstract: Governments sometimes characterize torture as an indispensable interrogation tool for gathering strategic intelligence. In this article, we review the relevant social scientific research on the effectiveness, impact, and causes of torture. First, we summarize research on false confessions and examine the relevance of that research for torture-based interrogations. Next, we review research on the mental health consequences of torture for survivors and perpetrators. Finally, we explore the social-psychological conditions that promote acts of cruelty (such as those seen at Abu Ghraib) and examine the arguments typically offered to justify the use of torture. We argue that any hypothesized benefits from the use of torture must be weighed against the substantial proven costs of torture. These costs include the unreliable information extracted through interrogations using torture, the mental and emotional toll on victims and torturers, loss of international stature and credibility, and the risk of retaliation against soldiers and civilians.

67 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jun 1985-Ethos
TL;DR: In the writings of early travellers, missionaries, and pioneering anthropologists, through studies by contemporary scholars, time and again we encounter accounts of apparently barbaric, sadistic, bloodthirsty torture being perpetrated by adults on the youth of their societies as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: deals of adolescent initiation. In the writings of early travellers, missionaries, and pioneering anthropologists, through studies by contemporary scholars, time and again we encounter accounts of apparently barbaric, sadistic, bloodthirsty torture being perpetrated by adults on the youth of their societies. The widespread occurrence and seeming irrationality of these ordeals has given anthropologists, psychologists and others much food for theorizing. One would have hoped that after Durkheim, van Gennep, Firth, Turner, Freud, Bettelheim, and so many others have had their say, the subject would

67 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Jackson, R. as mentioned in this paper, discusses language, policy and the construction of a Torture culture in the War on Terrorism. Review of International Studies 33(3), pp.353-371 RAE2008
Abstract: Jackson, R. (2007). Language, Policy and the Construction of a Torture Culture in the War on Terrorism. Review of International Studies. 33(3), pp.353-371 RAE2008

67 citations

Book
01 Jan 2003
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a call to action: Responding to Social and Humanitarian Crises T.M. Frank, M.J. Friedman, P.G. Warfe, G.B. Bennett, L.A. de Silva, Z.D. Solomon, D.K. Nayak.
Abstract: I: Overview. WHO Voice: WHO: From the Health Perspective S. Saxens. 1. Introduction S.D. Solomon. 2. Traumatic Stress and its Consequences B. Green. 3. Social Deprivation E.L. Bassuk, B. Donelan. 4. Intervention Options for Society, Communties, Families and Individuals J.A. Fairbank, M.J. Friedman, J. de Jong, B.L. Green, S.D. Solomon. II: Abuse and Torture. UN Voice: The Ascendant Ethical Self O. Frank. 5. Child Abuse in Peacetime D.A. Wolfe, M.B. Nayak. 6. Abuse of Older People R.F. Wolfe, G. Bennett, L. Daichman. 7. People with Mental and Physical Disabilities K.T. Mueser, V.A. Hiday, L.B. Goodman, D. Valenti-Hein. 8. Violence against Women M.A. Dutton, D.G. Kilpatrick, M. Friedman, V. Patel. 9. Survivors of Mass Violence and Torture S. Turner, S. Yuksel, D. Silove. III: Wars and Disasters. UN Voice: Coordinating Humanitarian Assistance with OCHA: Issues of Psychological Trauma M. Bowden. 10. Children in Armed Conflict W. Yule, R. Stuvland, F.K. Baingana, P. Smith. 11. Refugees and Internally Displaced People N. Baron, S. Buus Jensen, J. de Jong. 12. Former Combatants B. Engdahl, P.L. de Silva, Z. Solomon, D. Somasundaram. 13. Natural and Technological Disasters D. Somasundaram, F. Norris, N. Azukai, R. Srinivasa Murthy. IV: United Nations Personnel. UN Voice: UNSECOORD: Protecting the Protectors D. Russler. 14. UN Peacekeepers and Civilian Field Personnel M.J. Friedman, P.G. Warfe, G.K. Mwiti. V: Summary and Conclusion. World Bank Voice: World Bank: An Overview and Some Next Steps F. Baingana. 15. A Call to Action: Responding to Social and Humanitarian Crises T.M. Keane.

67 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors make the case that these abuses are systemic, resulting from dehumanization of the enemy and the long reliance on and refinement of torture by the United States national security agencies, and call on sociologists to become involved in the study of torture and prisoner abuse.
Abstract: The outrage over revelations of torture and abuse at Abu Ghraib prison has faded from public discourse, but a number of questions remain unanswered. This paper criticizes official rationalizations offered for the abuse. We make the case that these abuses are systemic, resulting from dehumanization of the enemy and the long reliance on and refinement of torture by the United States national security agencies. We also consider the spread of torture in the current war on terror, and we call on sociologists to become involved in the study of torture and prisoner abuse.

67 citations


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Performance
Metrics
No. of papers in the topic in previous years
YearPapers
2023270
2022619
2021167
2020243
2019263
2018328