Psyche, Science, and Society

Valtin on sensory deprivation and psychological torture

May 11th, 2007

Valtin, Invictus blogger and Daily Kos diarist, has summed up the history of sensory deprivation research. [Heart of Darkness: Sensory Deprivation & U.S. Torture -- Where From Here?] One of the things he documents is that many academics, who conducted this wok with military funding, remained unaware, at least consciously, of why this research was being supported. They did not know, or did not acknowledge, that they were constructing an American version of psychological torture, based on the creation of debility, dependence and dread. Others, of course, knew exactly what they were doing.

In any case, read Valtin’s piece and think about the long, sad role of psychology in the development of the American torture regime. No wonder the American Psychological Association has worked so hard to preserve the ability of psychologists to “contribute to national security” by helping abuse detainees.

Entry Filed under: APA, Psychology, Torture