Sensory Deprivation

Camp X-ray facility at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba being subjected to sensory deprivation, through the use of ear muffs, visor, breathing mask and heavy mittens.]]

Sensory deprivation is the deliberate reduction or removal of Stimuli from one or more of the senses. Simple devices such as Blindfold s and Earmuff s can cut off sight and hearing, while more complex devices can also cut off the sense of smell, touch, taste, thermoception (heat-sense), and 'gravity'. Sensory deprivation has been used in various Alternative Medicine s and in Psychological experiments (e.g., see Isolation Tank ), and for Torture or Punishment .

Though short periods of sensory deprivation can be Relaxing , extended deprivation can result in extreme Anxiety , Hallucinations , Bizarre Thoughts , Depression , and Antisocial Behavior . {Link without Title} {Link without Title} {Link without Title} {Link without Title} {Link without Title} {Link without Title}

THE FIVE SENSORY DEPRIVATION TECHNIQUES

in the early 1970s. After the Parker Report of 1972 these techniques were formally abandoned by the United Kingdom as aids the Interrogation of paramilatary suspects. In 1978 in the European Court Of Human Rights (ECHR) trial " Ireland v. the United Kingdom " ruled that the five techniques "''did not occasion suffering of the particular intensity and cruelty implied by the word torture ... {Link without Title} amounted to a practice of inhuman and degrading treatment''", in breach of the European Convention On Human Rights .

It is on record in the ECHR judgement Ireland v. the United Kingdom Paragraph 96 that:

These methods, sometimes termed "disorientation" or "sensory deprivation" techniques, were not used in any cases other than the fourteen so indicated above. It emerges from the Commission's establishment of the facts that the techniques consisted of:''

(a) wall-standing: forcing the detainees to remain for periods of some hours in a "stress position", described by those who underwent it as being "spreadeagled against the wall, with their fingers put high above the head against the wall, the legs spread apart and the feet back, causing them to stand on their toes with the weight of the body mainly on the fingers";

(b) hooding: putting a black or navy coloured bag over the detainees' heads and, at least initially, keeping it there all the time except during interrogation;

(c) subjection to noise: pending their interrogations, holding the detainees in a room where there was a continuous loud and hissing noise;

(d) deprivation of sleep: pending their interrogations, depriving the detainees of sleep;''

(e) deprivation of food and drink: subjecting the detainees to a reduced diet during their stay at the centre and pending interrogations.

OTHER VIEWS REGARDING SENSORY DEPRIVATION

The 1978 European Court Of Human Rights ruling is one but by no means the only view regarding whether sensory deprivation constitutes torture. In fact, in previously hearing the same case the European Commission on Human Rights ''"considered the combined use of the five methods to amount to torture, on the grounds that (1) the intensity of the stress caused by techniques creating sensory deprivation "directly affects the personality physically and mentally"; and (2) "the systematic application of the techniques for the purpose of inducing a person to give information shows a clear resemblance to those methods of systematic torture which have been known over the ages..a modern system of torture falling into the same category as those systems.applied in previous times as a means of obtaining information and confessions."'' {Link without Title} {Link without Title}

In 1986 United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture has listed ''"sensory deprivation"'' among the techniques constituting torture[http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/E/CHR/report/E-CN_4-1986-15.pdf]. Other groups, such as the [http://www.bu.edu/bcrhhr/pro/pro_index.html Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights], for example, lists sensory deprivation as a type of ''"mental torture"''[http://www.bu.edu/bcrhhr/pro/course/background/typesoftorture.html].

MODERN APPLICATION

Modern methods and tools for applying the 5 basic techniques have changed somewhat since their original inception.

Acoustic Earmuffs are sometimes placed on a subject which are then used to isolate the subject from outside sounds. Often this is done with the production of loud music, ringing or static noises, or anything that estranges the subject from the sounds in their environment.

Sometimes an isolation chamber is used. A subject is sometimes locked in a room with no windows. The source of light in the room is turned on, or off, at either regular, but abnormal intervals, or for random periods of time. The intent is to eliminate the subject's accurate perception of day and night, remove the subject from social interaction, and disrupt regular biological patterns such as sleep. This method is often accompanied by meals being presented at unusual times of day, and at abnormal intervals to further the effect.

EXAMPLES IN ENTERTAINMENT

Altered States starring William Hurt , Blair Brown and Alan Arkin . Based on the novel by Paddy Chayefsky .

The Ipcress File (starring Michael Caine ) featured a variation on sensory deprivation in the final scene.

In the Television series '' 24 '' government agents have used sensory deprivation as a method of interrogation.

The Tom Clancy novel '' The Cardinal Of The Kremlin '' features the descriptive use of a sensory deprivation device by the KGB in brainwashing techniques for counterintelligence purposes.

The 1960's television show '' The Twilight Zone '' featured an episode in which an astronaut spent weeks in a secluded chamber in order to simulate a trip to the moon, leading to hallucinations.

In the television series '' Alias '' starring Jennifer Garner sensory deprivation was used on CIA agent Sydney Bristow by The Covenant in order for them to brainwash her into thinking she was someone she was not.

In the Television series, '' The Simpsons '', Lisa and Homer go to an alternative medicine specialist that recommends they spend time in sensory deprivation tanks.

	CATEGORIES ABOUT SENSORY DEPRIVATION

	sensory system

	cognitive science

	experimental psychology

	psychological torture techniques

	interrogation techniques

	mind control

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Sensory Deprivation