Factors Contributing to the Creation of a Torturer

Torture, as described by the United Nations General Assembly (1984), is an act by which the perpetrator intentionally inflicts severe physical or mental pain. The perpetrator’s purposes vary and include obtaining information or confessions, punishing, intimidating, and coercing. Although torture is condemned publicly by governments and religions, it has, nevertheless, been conducted throughout history, and its practice has recently been reported by Amnesty International in at least 90 countries, often at the instigation or with the consent of people acting in official capacities (Power, 1981). Torture that is initiated or condoned by officials is the subject of this chapter.