The psychologist Philip Zimbardo says that mind control is a " 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 behavioral outcomes" and he suggests that everyone is susceptible to such manipulation. It can of course be used in beneficial ways, for example with addicts, but here we are talking about situations that are inherently bad or unethical. It's best to think of it as a system of influences that significantly disrupts an individual at their very core, at the level of their identity (their values, beliefs, preferences, decisions, behaviors, relationships etc.) creating a new pseudo-identity or pseudopersonality. This cultic relationship is a version of the larger groups, and may be even more destructive because all the time and attention is directed towards only one person. These groups use deception and mind control tactics to take advantage of the weaknesses, as well as the strengths, of the members, to satisfy the needs and desires of the cult leaders themselves.Ī one-on-one cult is an intimate relationship where one person abuses their power to manipulate and exploit the other, e.g., teacher/student, therapist/client, pastor/worshiper, wife/husband. It is at this end that we find destructive cults and sects. At the other end we have destructive influences which strip the person of their identity, independence and ability to think critically or logically. At one end we have ethical and respectful influences which respect the individual and his or her rights. It's much more useful to think of influence as a continuum. However, in saying this, important distinctions are lost.
Some will argue that everything is manipulation.
Core is all mantra brainwashing how to#
Let's agree that mind control comes under the umbrella of persuasion and influence - how to change people's beliefs and behaviors. The fact that there are so many names indicates a lack of agreement which allows for confusion and distortion (especially by those using it covertly for their own benefit!!)
Mind control is also known as manipulation, thought reform, brainwashing, mental control, coercive persuasion, coercive control, malignant use of group dynamics, and many others.