Lessons of Abu Ghraib: Understanding and Preventing Prisoner Abuse in Military Operations

Abstract

The abuse of prisoners by U.S. soldiers at Abu Ghraib had broad struggle consequences, leading many people around the world to question the legitimacy of U.S. goals and activities in Iraq. This paper draws on extensive unclassified reports from multiple investigations that followed Abu Ghraib and applies key psychological as well as social-situational perspectives to develop a better grasp of the causative factors. From a psychological standpoint, most young adults are powerful inclined to behave in accord with the social conventions and pressures around them. Especially in ambiguous circumstances, then, it is important that standards of behavior be clear and explicit throughout all phases of an operation and that leaders at all levels represent and reinforce those standards.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA490174

Entities

People

  • Paul T. Bartone

Organizations

  • National Defense University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biological Sciences
  • Department Of Defense
  • Geneva Conventions
  • Health Care
  • Human Behavior
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Operations
  • Military Personnel
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Prisoners
  • Psychology
  • Rules Of Engagement
  • Security
  • Students
  • Training
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Criminal Law
  • Strategic Security Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design