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Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism by Robert J. Lifton

This book contains the most accurate description of the psychological principles behind life in the Sea Org that I have ever read. (Yes, I am ex Int Staff.) Although the SO is frequently compared to George Orwell's "1984", that book is not quite an accurate depiction in many particulars. Crucially, 1984 does not explain how someone can come to join and support a totalitarian group, nor why one would stay in such a group when the contrast with the outside world is so obvious.

A better understanding of these effects can be found in the classic psychology text, Robert J. Lifton's "Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of Brainwashing in China." This book resulted from interviews of POWs returning from Chinese Communist "brainwashing" camps just after the end of World War II. Those camps were very frightening to other nations at the time, because captured soldiers would appear on the radio some months later denouncing the Allies and extolling the virtues of communism, apparently quite sincerely.

Lifton does an excellent job in first reporting, then analyzing, the techniques used to forcibly bring about such changes in perspective. This analysis is as cogent and accurate today as it was 50 years ago. The principles derived are also very general. In fact, one chapter deals specifically with cults, and that chapter is still read in university psychology courses today.

Briefly, Lifton outlines "8 principles for thought reform":

1. Milieu Control. This involves the control of information and communication both within the environment and, ultimately, within the individual, resulting in a significant degree of isolation from society at large.

2. Mystical Manipulation. There is manipulation of experiences that appear spontaneous but in fact were planned and orchestrated by the group or its leaders in order to demonstrate divine authority or spiritual advancement or some special gift or talent that will then allow the leader to reinterpret events, scripture, and experiences as he or she wishes.

3. Demand for Purity. The world is viewed as black and white and the members are constantly exhorted to conform to the ideology of the group and strive for perfection. The induction of guilt and/or shame is a powerful control device used here.

4. Confession. Sins, as defined by the group, are to be confessed either to a personal monitor or publicly to the group. There is no confidentiality; members' "sins," "attitudes," and "faults" are discussed and exploited by the leaders.

5. Sacred Science. The group's doctrine or ideology is considered to be the ultimate Truth, beyond all questioning or dispute. Truth is not to be found outside the group. The leader, as the spokesperson for God or for all humanity, is likewise above criticism.

6. Loading the Language. The group interprets or uses words and phrases in new ways so that often the outside world does not understand. This jargon consists of thought-terminating clichés, which serve to alter members' thought processes to conform to the group's way of thinking.

7. Doctrine over person. Member's personal experiences are subordinated to the sacred science and any contrary experiences must be denied or reinterpreted to fit the ideology of the group.

8. Dispensing of existence. The group has the prerogative to decide who has the right to exist and who does not. This is usually not literal but means that those in the outside world are not saved, unenlightened, unconscious and they must be converted to the group's ideology. If they do not join the group or are critical of the group, then they must be rejected by the members. Thus, the outside world loses all credibility. In conjunction, should any member leave the group, he or she must be rejected also.

Sound familiar to anyone?

Highly recommended.
 
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Lermanet_com

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7. Doctrine over person. Member's personal experiences are subordinated to the sacred science and any contrary experiences must be denied or reinterpreted to fit the ideology of the group.

Indulge me for a moment of your thinking, and consider the command value, and effect this command, this single word as a command, if it were in fact executed by your subconscious as a literal, hypnotic, COMMAND.., (if someone has dianetics in searchable form the word count for this word would make this easier to explain) that Hubbard repeats OVER and OVER... just consider if you will the implication of the use of this single word as a hypnotic command...
























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