Changes

Over the years various theories of conversion and member retention have been proposed that link mind control to NRMs, and particularly those religious [[movements]] referred to as "[[cults]]" by their [[critics]]. These theories resemble the [[original]] [[political]] brainwashing theories with some minor changes. For instance Philip Zimbardo discusses mind control as "the [[process]] by which [[individual]] or [[collective]] freedom of [[choice]] and [[action]] is compromised by [[agents]] or agencies that modify or distort [[perception]], [[motivation]], affect, [[cognition]] and/or [[behavior]]al outcomes,"[11] and he suggests that any [[human being]] is susceptible to such manipulation.[12] In a 1999 book Robert Lifton also applied his original [[ideas]] about thought reform to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aum_Shinrkyo Aum Shinrikyo], concluding that in this [[context]] thought reform was possible without [[violence]] or physical [[coercion]]. Margaret Singer, who also spent time studying the [[political]] brainwashing of Korean prisoners of war, agreed with this conclusion: in her book ''Cults in Our Midst'' she describes six conditions which would create an atmosphere in which thought reform is possible.[13]

Over the years various theories of conversion and member retention have been proposed that link mind control to NRMs, and particularly those religious [[movements]] referred to as "[[cults]]" by their [[critics]]. These theories resemble the [[original]] [[political]] brainwashing theories with some minor changes. For instance Philip Zimbardo discusses mind control as "the [[process]] by which [[individual]] or [[collective]] freedom of [[choice]] and [[action]] is compromised by [[agents]] or agencies that modify or distort [[perception]], [[motivation]], affect, [[cognition]] and/or [[behavior]]al outcomes,"[11] and he suggests that any [[human being]] is susceptible to such manipulation.[12] In a 1999 book Robert Lifton also applied his original [[ideas]] about thought reform to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aum_Shinrkyo Aum Shinrikyo], concluding that in this [[context]] thought reform was possible without [[violence]] or physical [[coercion]]. Margaret Singer, who also spent time studying the [[political]] brainwashing of Korean prisoners of war, agreed with this conclusion: in her book ''Cults in Our Midst'' she describes six conditions which would create an atmosphere in which thought reform is possible.[13]

The subject has even been approached from the [[perspective]] of [[neuroscience]] and social psychology. Kathleen Taylor suggests that "brainwashing" is activated by [[manipulation]] of the prefrontal cortex rendering the [[person]] more susceptible to black and white [[thinking]].[14] Meanwhile, in ''Influence, Science and Practice'', social psychologist Robert Cialdini argues that mind control is possible through the covert exploitation of the [[unconscious]] rules that underlie and facilitate [[health]]y human social interactions. He states that common social rules can be used to prey upon the unwary. Using categories, he offers specific examples of both mild and extreme mind control (both one on one and in [[groups]]), notes the conditions under which each social rule is most easily exploited for false ends, and offers suggestions on how to [[resist]] such [[methods]].

The subject has even been approached from the [[perspective]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainwashing neuroscience] and social psychology. Kathleen Taylor suggests that "brainwashing" is activated by [[manipulation]] of the prefrontal cortex rendering the [[person]] more susceptible to black and white [[thinking]].[14] Meanwhile, in ''Influence, Science and Practice'', social psychologist Robert Cialdini argues that mind control is possible through the covert exploitation of the [[unconscious]] rules that underlie and facilitate [[health]]y human social interactions. He states that common social rules can be used to prey upon the unwary. Using categories, he offers specific examples of both mild and extreme mind control (both one on one and in [[groups]]), notes the conditions under which each social rule is most easily exploited for false ends, and offers suggestions on how to [[resist]] such [[methods]].

 

==Deprogramming and the anti-cult movement==

==Deprogramming and the anti-cult movement==

The [[theories]] of Singer, Lifton and other [[researchers]] have been adopted and adapted by both academic and non-academic destructive [[cult]] [[critics]] from the inception of the anti-cult movement. These critics often argue that certain religious groups use mind control techniques to unethically recruit and maintain members. At first many of these critics advocated or engaged in deprogramming as a [[method]] to liberate group members from apparent "brainwashing". However the [[practice]] of coercive deprogramming fell out of favor in the West and was largely replaced by exit [[counseling]]. For instance exit counselor Steve Hassan promotes what he calls the BITE model in his book ''Releasing the Bonds: Empowering People to Think for Themselves''.[15] The BITE model describes various controls over [[human]] 1) [[behavior]], 2) [[information]], 3) [[thought]], and 4) [[emotion]].[15] Hassan claims that cults recruit and retain members by using, among other things, systematic deception, [[behavior]] modification, the withholding of [[information]], and [[emotionally]] [[intense]] persuasion techniques (such as the induction of phobias). He refers to all of these techniques [[collective]]ly as mind control.

The [[theories]] of Singer, Lifton and other [[researchers]] have been adopted and adapted by both academic and non-academic destructive [[cult]] [[critics]] from the inception of the anti-cult movement. These critics often argue that certain religious groups use mind control techniques to unethically recruit and maintain members. At first many of these critics advocated or engaged in deprogramming as a [[method]] to liberate group members from apparent "brainwashing". However the [[practice]] of coercive deprogramming fell out of favor in the West and was largely replaced by exit [[counseling]]. For instance exit counselor Steve Hassan promotes what he calls the BITE model in his book ''Releasing the Bonds: Empowering People to Think for Themselves''.[15] The BITE model describes various controls over [[human]] 1) [[behavior]], 2) [[information]], 3) [[thought]], and 4) [[emotion]].[15] Hassan claims that cults recruit and retain members by using, among other things, systematic deception, [[behavior]] modification, the withholding of [[information]], and [[emotionally]] [[intense]] persuasion techniques (such as the induction of phobias). He refers to all of these techniques [[collective]]ly as mind control.