Techniques of
Psychological Manipulation
| Isolation |
loss of reality by physical
separation from society & rational references |
| Hypnosis |
state of high suggestibility
induced by hypnosis, often thinly disguised as meditation |
| Peer Group Pressure |
suppression of doubt &
resistance to new ideas, achieved by exploiting natural need to belong |
| Love Bombing |
sense of family & belonging
contrived through hugging, kissing, touching, & flattery |
| Removal of Privacy |
loss of ability to evaluate,
logically achieved by preventing private contemplation |
Sleep Deprivation
& Fatigue |
disorientation & vulnerability created by
prolonged mental & physical activity and withholding adequate rest & sleep |
| Games |
need for direction when playing
games with obscure rules increases dependence on group |
| Meta Communication |
subliminal messages implanted by
stressing certain key words or phrases in long confusing lectures |
| No Questions |
automatic acceptance of beliefs
accomplished by discouraging questions |
| Confusing Doctrine |
complex lectures on an
incomprehensible doctrine, encourage rejection of logic & blind acceptance |
| Rejection of Old Values |
acceptance of new life style
accelerated by constantly denouncing former values & beliefs |
| Confession |
destruction of personal egos,
increased vulnerability to new teachings and recruits' weaknesses revealed, though sharing
innermost secrets |
| Guild |
teachings of eternal salvation
reinforced by exaggerating sins of the former lifestyles |
| Fear |
loyalty & obedience to grp.
maintained by threatening soul, life or limb for the slightest "negative"
thought, word, or deed |
| Chanting and Singing |
non-cult input screened out by
demanding repetition of mind narrowing chants or phrases, when faced w/ non-cult ideas |
| Disinhibition |
abdication of adult
responsibility encouraged by orchestration childlike behavior |
| Change of Diet |
disorientation & increased
susceptibility to emotional arousal achieved by depriving the nervous system of necessary
nutrients, though the use of low-protein, childlike food |
| Controlled Approval |
vulnerability & confusion
maintained by alternately rewarding & punishing similar actions |
| Dress |
individuality removed by demanding
conformity to the group dress code |
| Flaunting Hierarchy |
acceptance of cult authority
produced by promising advancement, power, & salvation |
| Finger Pointing |
false sense of righteousness
created by pointing to the shortcoming of the outside world and other cults |
Replacement of
Relationships |
pre-cult families destroyed by arranging cult
marriages & "families" |
| Financial Commitment |
increased dependence on the
grp. achieved by "burning bridges" to past, through the donation of
all assets |
