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

Mika Haritos-Fatouros (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415282764 | ISBN-13: 978-0415282765 | Publication Date: November 27, 2002

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.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mika Haritos-Fatouros is Professor of Psychology at the University of Thessalonica, Greece. She studied psychology and psychotherapy at universities in London, Oxford and Thessalonica, and has held visiting appointments at universities in the USA, Europe and Australia. She is President Elect of the European Association of Counselling and Honorary President of the Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims in Thessalonica. She has published works on the subjects of psychotherapy, populations in crisis, women's issues and the psychology of state torturers, and is co-author of the forthcoming book on 'Violence Workers', which will be published by University of California Press.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (November 27, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415282764
• ISBN-13: 978-0415282765
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,127,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Difficult Subject -- Not Enought Data -- Otherwise Good, October 13, 2005

By 

Thomas E. Sandidge - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Psychological Origins of Institutionalized Torture (Routledge Research International Series in Social Psychology) (Hardcover)

I recommend this book as understandable and fairly well written. The subject is very important and any enthusiast of Milgram or Zimbardo will find it quite interesting. Unfortunately, I can't recommend that you buy it for your library. The book is poorly bound and only medium quality paper and print. Also, it attempts -- but doesn't quite fit -- into the niche between lay reader and subject matter expert: the author doesn't quite succeed in bringing enough range of either lay-explanation or psychological theories and studies to bear.

The subject is difficult not only because of its content but because of the limited number of torturers identified and interviewed. The first point seems to put the author somewhat on the defensive and the whole book carries this undercurrent, i.e., I get the sense that the author half expects to be dismissed. The second point seems to have lured the author into making too little data go a little too far.

The first six chapters are essentially description and, although disturbing, not that terribly exciting. My interest picked up toward the end of Chapter 7, "Psychological theories on the origins of torture", and was most informed by Chapter 8, "Reconstruction processes in the formation of torturers". If you are short of time and inclined to believe the premise, I recommend that you read chapters 7,8, and 10. The rest of the book is in many ways necessary, but these three chapters are the core of the book in my opinion.

Despite my criticisms and rating of only three stars, I feel that anyone who wishes to be considered a world citizen should read this book. But do it before it disappears: not even that many libraries have it based on the results of the search and difficulty I've had getting a copy.