Cognitive Dissonance, de Kock and Odd Psychological Testimony.

In the criminal trial of Eugene de Kock, aspects of his murderous rampage were attributed to his purported experience of cognitive dissonance (CD), emotional blunting and posttraumatic stress disorder. This paper will critique the use of CD in this particular case and explore the theoretical underpinnings of CD. A few examples from the court record will be used to illustrate the place of CD in explaining perpetrators' actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]