James Mitchell and Bruce Jessen, the architects of the C.I.A.'s interrogation techniques, applied research done by Penn professor Martin E.P. Seligman, the New York Times reports.
In the 1960s, Seligman and others worked performed experiments on dogs that demonstrated "learned helplessness." While the experiment, well-known in modern psychology, was used to help with ideas about depression.
However, the C.I.A. drew upon the research to create its interrogation techniques, also hoping to create helplessness in their subjects. When the Senate's report on the C.I.A. revealed that Seligman's research was used, the Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology was “grieved and horrified" by the idea.
For the full story, read the New York Times article here.
