Psychology of War Criminals (TalkTV with Petrie Hosken)
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the transformation of individuals in war, attributing it to psychological defense mechanisms and fear. He explains how bonding with the enemy and the breakdown of ethical consensus lead to abnormal behavior and the commission of war crimes. Vaknin emphasizes the role of conformity and peer pressure in war, but also highlights the potential for individuals to resist committing war crimes. Overall, he stresses the complexity and ugliness of war, acknowledging that not all soldiers commit war crimes despite the pressures to do so.