Psyche, Science, and Society

Valtin on Isolation, Sensory Deprivation & Sensory Overload

Valtin, on Never In Our Names shares his paper on Isolation, Sensory Deprivation & Sensory Overload that was presented at the recent American Psychological Association conference, during the Miniconvention on Ethics and Interrogations. It presents an historical account of study of the effects of these techniques, techniques which constitute the most used torture techniques in the US arsenal.

Valtin puts his paper in context of the ongoing struggle in the APA:

As many are no doubt aware, the APA Council of Representatives passed a resolution on psychologist participation in coercive interrogations that was long on rhetoric, but far short on substance. In essence, the APA legitimized psychologist practice in settings where indefinite detention occurs, along with sensory and sleep deprivation, sensory over-stimulation, and use of drugs (as long as not for the purpose of eliciting interrogation).

My paper was written with the intent to document the long history of behavioral science collaboration with abusive interrogation research, particularly around the subject of sensory deprivation (SD). I did not have time in this paper to address the strong observational and naturalistic evidence of the debilitating effects of isolation and SD, and readers will have to await my longer, published paper.

Read the paper.

Add comment August 30th, 2007

Military Families Speak Out: Funding the war means killing the troops

From United for Peace and Justice:

Dear Friends at United for Peace and Justice,

As you may know, Ari Fleischer, former press secretary to President George W. Bush, together with an advocacy group he helped create called Freedom’s Watch, has launched a $15 million national ad campaign with the goal of convincing the American public that continuing the war in Iraq is the right thing to do. Wounded veterans and Gold Star families are featured in these ads, stating that if Congress were to end the war in Iraq, war Veterans’ and Gold Star families’ sacrifices will mean nothing.

Last night, Military Families Speak Out and Gold Star Families Speak Out members Celeste and Dante Zappala picked up a video camera and made a one and one-half minute piece to counter the message of this ad campaign.

After making their video last night, Celeste and Dante sent us a message “We don’t have $15 million, but we have the truth.” (See text of their message below, in italics.)

We are now sending this email to all of you, in hopes that you will watch the video and send it out to all you know, and we can keep this heartfelt and vital message going:

So watch and spread the message: “Funding the war means killing the troops.”

1 comment August 30th, 2007