ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Psychology of torture

Hello kiddo, today I am going to talk to you about something called the psychology of torture. So you know how when someone does something really bad, they might be punished as a consequence? Well, torture is a type of punishment that involves causing someone a lot of pain and discomfort, often to get them to do or say something they don't want to.

Now, the reason why torture is so widely condemned is because it is a really cruel and inhumane way of punishing someone. But did you know that it also has a lot of damaging effects on the person doing the torture as well as the person being tortured?

Let's start with the person being tortured. When someone is being tortured, their body and mind are put under a great deal of stress. This can cause them to experience a wide range of negative emotions like fear, anxiety, confusion, and desperation. They might also start to feel helpless and lose their sense of identity and self-worth.

In some cases, the person being tortured may try to cope with the pain and trauma by dissociating or disconnecting from reality. This may make it harder for them to remember what happened to them and can result in long-term psychological damage.

Now, let's talk about the person doing the torture, also known as the torturer. When someone is responsible for causing another person pain and suffering, it can have a significant impact on their own mental health.

For one thing, it can desensitize them to violence and make it easier for them to inflict pain on others in the future. This can lead to a cycle of violence and an increased risk of developing PTSD or other mental health conditions. Additionally, studies have shown that people who engage in torture are more likely to experience feelings of guilt, shame, and moral distress, which can have a profound impact on their quality of life.

So you see, kiddo, the psychology of torture is a really complicated and difficult topic to talk about. It's important to remember that treating others with kindness and respect is always the right thing to do, even if they have done something wrong. And if you ever feel scared or uncomfortable, always make sure to talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling.