Date of Award
2016-01-01
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Psychology
Advisor(s)
Christian A. Meissner
Abstract
The purpose of these three experiments was to determine what factors affect Americans' attitudes toward torture and the interrogators who engage in torture. Using theories of intergroup bias, fundamental attribution error, and cognitive dissonance, the three experiments investigated how people make behavioral attributions for an interrogator, as well as how people perceive the acceptability, ethicalness, effectiveness, and procedural justice of the technique used. Four variables were manipulated: group membership of the interrogator and detainee, outcome of the interrogation, and type of interrogation tactic used. It was expected that people would make attributional and attitudinal judgments in a manner that preserved the integrity of their in-group. Specific hypotheses are discussed prior to each experiment.
Language
en
Provenance
Received from ProQuest
Copyright Date
2016
File Size
138 pages
File Format
application/pdf
Rights Holder
Julia LaBianca
Recommended Citation
Labianca, Julia, "Is Torture Ever Justified? The Influence Of Group Membership, Interrogation Approach, And Success On Attributions Of Interrogator Behavior And Perceived Acceptability Of Torture" (2016). Open Access Theses & Dissertations. 873.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/open_etd/873