Torture: term used to indicate the various ways of inflicting sufferings, especially those associated with particularly cruel punishment and, more specifically the use of these methods by bodies representing the law system to force an accused person to confess to things which are not necessarily true. The various procedures for inflicting pain have been developed by instruments employing refined psychological techniques not only aimed at breaking down the accused’s resistance but also so as to undermine his very personality. During the 19th century it was to be expected that torture had been eliminated, together with the instruments of torture. The idea of progress reinforced this hope, but during the 20th century, however, the instruments of torture were developed as the instruments of totalitarian power. The parallel development of psychology as a subject of investigation led to the increased attention being given to the instruments of torture as well as the reasons for their use.