International Journal of Coercion, Abuse, and Manipulation Volume 3 2022 34
hypnotic induction, suggestions made to be carried out
after the induction (posthypnotic suggestions), and of
course the native talent and charisma of the hypnotist
(the operator), who is usually the HDG leader or a
lieutenant.
The Phase 3 Results of the two prior phases are
important to understand. As Gruenwald (1971) and
others have articulated, hypnosis has for centuries
been known to increase attachment to the hypnotist
(transference). In fact, in clinical therapy, the client-
therapist relationship—transference—is the single
most important healing factor. Hypnosis can speed up
and strengthen this relationship, hopefully for agreed-
upon helpful ends.
These processes are reciprocal. Each phase has the
potential to strengthen and reinforce the phase before
and after it. The increased transference, suggestibility,
and behavioral compliance in Phase 3 can also increase
an individual’s hypnotizability (research has shown
that repeated practice can to some degree increase one’s
suggestibility and hypnotic talent). Moreover, there
is a vast body of research demonstrating the effect of
emotional attachment and transference on increasing
motivation. The longer one remains in a group, the
more likely one will be motivated to conform. Thus,
Phase 3 reinforces and strengthens Phase 1. And of
course, increased transference, suggestibility, and
behavioral compliance in a cultic group are likely to
enhance some of the factors in Phase 2 as prehypnotic
and posthypnotic suggestions become increasingly
internalized through repetition. Meanwhile, in many
HDGs, the demands to devote inordinate amounts of
energy and time to recruit, fundraise, pray/meditate,
and engage in other devotional activities often result
in decreased time spent resting and sleeping (and
engaging in critical thinking). Some groups also
promote various dietary restrictions. The situational
factors (Phase 2) in turn increase and strengthen the
results (Phase 3), and so on.
Conclusions
From the 1970s through the early 1990s, a relatively
large number of articles connected hypnosis to cult-
recruitment practices. However, I think it can be
misleading and potentially dangerous to ascribe an
overly important and entirely unique role to hypnosis in
the cult conversion, maintenance, and control process.
Conversely, it would be perhaps equally dangerous
to ignore its role. In my opinion, both research and
experience suggest that the truth lies within the difficult
complexities and gray areas that are scorned (and
labeled heretical or even evil) in the rigid, absolutist,
black-and-white dogmas typically espoused by cultic
and HDG leaders. Critical thinking rooted in ongoing
experimental and phenomenological studies is the best
alternative to obscured closed-mindedness when it
comes to the role hypnosis may play in thought reform.
To summarize: Although mystery continues to shroud
the exact nature of hypnosis, there is an increasing
body of evidence to show that, at least for some people,
hypnosis (and quasihypnotic experiences) involves
more than increased suggestibility it involves a
quantifiably different state of consciousness that both
creates and is created by increased compliance with
a hypnotist’s or operator’s suggestions. Laboratory
research on hypnosis has not examined the impact
of prolonged exposure to intense group dynamics
on hypnotizability and the subjective experience of
Figure 1. The Possible role of hypnosis in thought reform.
hypnotic induction, suggestions made to be carried out
after the induction (posthypnotic suggestions), and of
course the native talent and charisma of the hypnotist
(the operator), who is usually the HDG leader or a
lieutenant.
The Phase 3 Results of the two prior phases are
important to understand. As Gruenwald (1971) and
others have articulated, hypnosis has for centuries
been known to increase attachment to the hypnotist
(transference). In fact, in clinical therapy, the client-
therapist relationship—transference—is the single
most important healing factor. Hypnosis can speed up
and strengthen this relationship, hopefully for agreed-
upon helpful ends.
These processes are reciprocal. Each phase has the
potential to strengthen and reinforce the phase before
and after it. The increased transference, suggestibility,
and behavioral compliance in Phase 3 can also increase
an individual’s hypnotizability (research has shown
that repeated practice can to some degree increase one’s
suggestibility and hypnotic talent). Moreover, there
is a vast body of research demonstrating the effect of
emotional attachment and transference on increasing
motivation. The longer one remains in a group, the
more likely one will be motivated to conform. Thus,
Phase 3 reinforces and strengthens Phase 1. And of
course, increased transference, suggestibility, and
behavioral compliance in a cultic group are likely to
enhance some of the factors in Phase 2 as prehypnotic
and posthypnotic suggestions become increasingly
internalized through repetition. Meanwhile, in many
HDGs, the demands to devote inordinate amounts of
energy and time to recruit, fundraise, pray/meditate,
and engage in other devotional activities often result
in decreased time spent resting and sleeping (and
engaging in critical thinking). Some groups also
promote various dietary restrictions. The situational
factors (Phase 2) in turn increase and strengthen the
results (Phase 3), and so on.
Conclusions
From the 1970s through the early 1990s, a relatively
large number of articles connected hypnosis to cult-
recruitment practices. However, I think it can be
misleading and potentially dangerous to ascribe an
overly important and entirely unique role to hypnosis in
the cult conversion, maintenance, and control process.
Conversely, it would be perhaps equally dangerous
to ignore its role. In my opinion, both research and
experience suggest that the truth lies within the difficult
complexities and gray areas that are scorned (and
labeled heretical or even evil) in the rigid, absolutist,
black-and-white dogmas typically espoused by cultic
and HDG leaders. Critical thinking rooted in ongoing
experimental and phenomenological studies is the best
alternative to obscured closed-mindedness when it
comes to the role hypnosis may play in thought reform.
To summarize: Although mystery continues to shroud
the exact nature of hypnosis, there is an increasing
body of evidence to show that, at least for some people,
hypnosis (and quasihypnotic experiences) involves
more than increased suggestibility it involves a
quantifiably different state of consciousness that both
creates and is created by increased compliance with
a hypnotist’s or operator’s suggestions. Laboratory
research on hypnosis has not examined the impact
of prolonged exposure to intense group dynamics
on hypnotizability and the subjective experience of
Figure 1. The Possible role of hypnosis in thought reform.
