ABSTRACT

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.

chapter 1|6 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|14 pages

Approach and methodology

chapter 3|10 pages

The Greek situation

chapter 4|35 pages

Transforming ordinary men into torturers

chapter 5|24 pages

Case study of a chief torturer

chapter 6|27 pages

Dispositional factors in Greek torturers

A sufficient explanation?

chapter 9|41 pages

Parallels to comparisons

chapter 10|13 pages

Epilogue