Citation

Miller MK, Perez L. Appl. Psychol. Crim. Justice 2019; 15(1): 1-22.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, San Houston State University, College of Criminal Justice)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Controversy surrounds the CIA's "enhanced interrogation" techniques that could be considered torture. Replicating previous studies, 1) sentiment toward torture was moderately supportive yet divided and 2) there was a positive relationship between belief that techniques are effective and belief they are justified. Supporting our hypotheses, general just world beliefs, religious fundamentalism, and moral disengagement negatively related to considering various techniques as torture and positively related to beliefs about effectiveness and justification of torture. Religious devotionalism positively related only to considering various techniques as torture, partially supporting hypotheses. Relationships between IVs (e.g., fundamentalism) and DVs (i.e., sentiment toward torture) were mediated by moral disengagement. This helps explain cognitive processes that underlie sentiment. Finally, the moral disengagement scale we developed had good reliability and predictive ability.

Keywords: Torture

© Applied Psychology in Criminal Justice, 2019

Language: en