Articolo
Abstract

The aim of the paper is the description and the discussion of the recent studies about torture in the domain of social psychology. The research examine the widespread beliefs about the efficacy of torture, the support given by the public opinion to torture, the psychological processes of legitimization of violence, abuse, social ostracism and exclusion, with particular attention to the dehumanizing mechanisms.

Keywords: Torture; Dehumanization; Social Ostracism; Violence.