Torture

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

The “Game” of Torture

Abstract: The authors explain the prevalence of torture by modeling its institutional structure as a game of incomplete information involving the state, the torturer, and the victim. Once the state endorses torture as a mechanism for extracting information, its will is carried out with positive probability. This is because (a) even a “soft” and “sensitive” state agent might torture the victim to test his or her ability to resist and (b) a weak victim might hold out momentarily to find out whether the torturer is sensitive or “sadistic.” When the state uses torture to intimidate political opposition, all types of torturers will behave sadistically. As a result, torture becomes more widespread and more cruel. The authors explain why a “culture” of individual resistance is the only effective solution to torture.

Torture of a Norwegian ship's crew

Abstract: Medical reports on torture sequelae are usually based upon examinations of previous prisoners of war (Eitinger & Strom, 1973; Ursano, Boydstun, & Wheatley, 1981) or exiled persons. Expatriated victims in particular have been subject to medical and psychological research during the last 10 to 20 years, especially in Canada (Allodi & Cowgill, 1982), Norway (Fossum, Hauff, Malt, & Eitinger, 1982), and in Denmark (Rasmussen & Nielsen, 1980; Somnier & Genefke, 1986) where the International Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims opened in 1984 in Copenhagen. For obvious reasons, it has been difficult to perform systematic studies in the country where the torture and violence took place. Refugees make up a selected group of torture victims, and the additional stress of expatriation may produce adverse health effects that are difficult to separate from the torture effects (Thorvaldsen, 1987; see also Chapter 55, in this volume, for a discussion).

Torture, Interrogation, Security, and Psychology: Absolutistic versus Complex Thinking

Abstract: How psychologists and their organizations should deal with the practice of torture (e.g., Costanzo, Gerrity, & Lykes, 2006) is not a new concern. Responding to a spate of accusations in the early 1980s, APA established a Subcommittee on Psychological Concerns Related to Torture, which I chaired. The subcommittee’s report (Suedfeld, 1987) reviewed the available evidence concerning connections between psychology and torture, and led to the APA Resolution Against Torture and a joint resolution by the two APAs (American Psychological Association, 1984). The subcommittee’s work also motivated me to organize and edit an even more wide-ranging examination of the relationships between psychology and torture (Suedfeld, 1990). Because of my history of interest, involvement, and knowledge of the issue now under consideration, I have seen many of the current arguments before. I agree with those who, like Costanzo et al., have argued that interrogations should be as humane as possible, that torture is abhorrent and can result in long-lasting physical and psychological damage to victims and even to some torturers, and that it is highly appropriate for psychologists to try to minimize the use of torture and to ameliorate the damage that it causes. Nevertheless, I am surprised by the absolutistic comments now appearing in psychology journals and newsletters. Leaving aside the use of torture to punish people, to enforce submission to political or religious orthodoxy, or to extract confessions of guilt, I believe that the arguments raised so far concerning

The role of physicians in conflicts and humanitarian crises. Case studies from the field missions of Physicians for Human Rights, 1988 to 1993.

Abstract: Violations of human rights in wars, civil conflicts, and brutal repression mounted by governments against their own citizens often have profound consequences to individual and public health and may, in turn, produce humanitarian crises. The skills of physicians, medical and forensic scientists, and other health workers are uniquely valuable in human rights investigations and documentation, producing evidence of abuse more credible and less vulnerable to challenge than traditional methods of case reporting. Only in recent decades, however, have physicians organized specifically to meet this responsibility. This article presents case studies from the field missions of Physicians for Human Rights to illustrate the investigation and documentation of violations of medical neutrality, refugee health crises, the use of indiscriminate weapons, torture, deliberate injury and rape, and mass executions. Participation of health workers in the defense of human rights now includes investigation and documentation of health effects in threatened populations as well as individual victims. ( JAMA . 1993;270:616-620)

Divergent Incentives for Dictators: Domestic Institutions and (International Promises Not to) Torture

Abstract: Although they are arguably the worst violators of human rights, dictators sometimes commit to international human rights treaties like the United Nations Convention Against Torture (CAT) to appease their domestic opposition. Importantly, however, executives facing effective judiciaries must anticipate ex post costs that can arise when international treaties are likely to be enforced domestically. This suggests that one domestic institution—a political opposition party—may provide a dictator with incentives to commit to international human rights treaties and violate human rights, while another—an effective domestic judiciary—may constrain the dictator’s ability to violate human rights and incentivize him to avoid international commitment. How do dictators make choices about commitment to human rights law and respect for human rights when they face conflicting domestic incentives? Furthermore, how do these divergent incentives affect compliance when dictators do commit to international treaties? In this ar...