Psychology of State Sponsored Violence State sponsored violence has led to some of the most horrendous crimes against human rights such as genocide and torture. These crimes are often the subject of constant debate as scholars try to reason why they occur. However, debates about genocide and torture are not solely attributed to the fact that they happen, but also to why people participate in these acts. Contrary to popular belief, most participants in state-sponsored violence are often not radical extremists, but rather ordinary people. In some cases, such as the Rwanda genocide, the participants were ordinary people, often neighbors of the victims, who carried out many of the killings. Furthermore, in cases of torture, the soldiers who carry out the acts are referred to as “ordinary Joes”. If it is true that ordinary, regular people are involved in state-sponsored violence, why do they participate in it and what are the ongoing effects they have as a result of their participation? To answer these pressing questions it is necessary to examine the sociological and psychological factors that guide people's actions. There are several psychological characteristics that come into play, such as individual thinking and how it is influenced by group dynamics and authority. Furthermore, psychological characteristics are further expanded when coupled with sociological attributions that animate the reasons behind participation in state-sponsored violence. In some state-sponsored violence, such as torture, the “average Joe” is sought as opposed to a rebel for the state. which is why an “average Joe” can easily be developed psychologically to become a torturer. Psychological transformation implies a restriction... at the center of the paper... the aspects that come into play are the sense of impunity, the perception of authority figures and group dynamics. These psychological factors along with sociological perceptions in deviance illustrate the complex environment that is present when an ordinary individual decides to participate in state-sponsored violence. Works CitedAsch, S.E., (1951) Effects of group pressure on the modification and distortion of judgments. Brehm, S.S. & Kassin, S.M. (1993) Social psychology, p.399 (2nd ed.). Boston: HughtonMifflin.Fujii, Lee Ann. Killing neighbors: Networks of violence in Rwanda. Cornell University Press, 2009. 45-75;154-179. Print.Hatzfeld, Jean. Machete Season: Killers Speak Out in Rwanda: A Report. Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2005. 45-75; 154-79. Print.Schulz, William. "Torture." Human rights: policy and practice. Oxford University Press, 2009. Print.