Customer Reviews

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

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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.