Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 5, No. 1 1988 Page 36
Creating the Illusion of Mind Reading in a Self-Transformation
Training
Robert C. Fellows, M. T. S.
Abstract
Some self-transformation trainings have been accused of employing a wide variety
of manipulative and deceptive techniques. One such program leads participants in
an exercise which purports to demonstrate intuitive ability, or what it calls the
―highest level of awareness.‖ This paper suggests that the exercise which we will
can the ―intuition exercise,‖ instead of demonstrating a high level of awareness,
creates an illusion of ―mind reading‖ and manipulates some participants into
believing that they have developed extrasensory perception.
The human potential movement has generated widespread acceptance for the idea that personal
growth can be achieved outside of mainstream therapy. Because this movement's methods may
at first seem unusual and in some cases opposed to what is traditionally believed to be good
practice, it is difficult to discriminate between groups which are creating innovative and caring
approaches to personal growth and groups which are exploiting the receptive mood within the
field. This difficulty has generated considerable confusion. Many persons claim to benefit from
self-transformation programs many others claim to be harmed. Those who have described
harmful consequences frequently allege that some self- transformation groups employ an array of
manipulative techniques of persuasion and control.
Before scholars can definitively determine the extent to which harm and manipulation occur in
such groups, it is necessary that they first understand the types of manipulative techniques that
can be employed and to what purpose. In this essay, I will try to shed light on this question by
analyzing in detail an important exercise in a self-transformational program We win call that
exercise the ―intuition exercise.‖ The program will not be named here because my focus is not on
evaluating or judging this particular training, but on analyzing the dynamics of an intuition
exercise illustrative of similar exercises used in other self-transformation trainings.
The Mentalist's Point of View
My perspective in analyzing the intuition exercise is that of a professional mentalism The
expertise of a magician trained in the field of mentalism (magic which creates the illusion of
psychic phenomena), who is also well-versed in the dynamics of social-psychological influence,
can be a useful and sometimes indispensable adjunct to the skills of a psychologist, sociologist, or
physician when investigating groups that make extraordinary claims in the area of self-
awareness.
In April of 1985, I was asked to serve as an expert witness in two cases related to a self-
transformation training.(1) The cases were pending in federal courts in Washington, D.C. In order
to prepare for the cases, I reviewed documents which included several legal depositions and
literature published by the group. I had already attended a two-hour introductory lecture about
the training as part of my personal research.
In July of 1985, 1 was a full participant in the first night of the group's basic training in Los
Angeles. This was a five-hour evening of lectures and group processes with about 250
participants.
On the second night of that training, after an hour of negotiating, I was not allowed to finish the
training because I would not sign a consent form, which released the training, its agents, and
employees from any liability arising from my participation in the training.
Creating the Illusion of Mind Reading in a Self-Transformation
Training
Robert C. Fellows, M. T. S.
Abstract
Some self-transformation trainings have been accused of employing a wide variety
of manipulative and deceptive techniques. One such program leads participants in
an exercise which purports to demonstrate intuitive ability, or what it calls the
―highest level of awareness.‖ This paper suggests that the exercise which we will
can the ―intuition exercise,‖ instead of demonstrating a high level of awareness,
creates an illusion of ―mind reading‖ and manipulates some participants into
believing that they have developed extrasensory perception.
The human potential movement has generated widespread acceptance for the idea that personal
growth can be achieved outside of mainstream therapy. Because this movement's methods may
at first seem unusual and in some cases opposed to what is traditionally believed to be good
practice, it is difficult to discriminate between groups which are creating innovative and caring
approaches to personal growth and groups which are exploiting the receptive mood within the
field. This difficulty has generated considerable confusion. Many persons claim to benefit from
self-transformation programs many others claim to be harmed. Those who have described
harmful consequences frequently allege that some self- transformation groups employ an array of
manipulative techniques of persuasion and control.
Before scholars can definitively determine the extent to which harm and manipulation occur in
such groups, it is necessary that they first understand the types of manipulative techniques that
can be employed and to what purpose. In this essay, I will try to shed light on this question by
analyzing in detail an important exercise in a self-transformational program We win call that
exercise the ―intuition exercise.‖ The program will not be named here because my focus is not on
evaluating or judging this particular training, but on analyzing the dynamics of an intuition
exercise illustrative of similar exercises used in other self-transformation trainings.
The Mentalist's Point of View
My perspective in analyzing the intuition exercise is that of a professional mentalism The
expertise of a magician trained in the field of mentalism (magic which creates the illusion of
psychic phenomena), who is also well-versed in the dynamics of social-psychological influence,
can be a useful and sometimes indispensable adjunct to the skills of a psychologist, sociologist, or
physician when investigating groups that make extraordinary claims in the area of self-
awareness.
In April of 1985, I was asked to serve as an expert witness in two cases related to a self-
transformation training.(1) The cases were pending in federal courts in Washington, D.C. In order
to prepare for the cases, I reviewed documents which included several legal depositions and
literature published by the group. I had already attended a two-hour introductory lecture about
the training as part of my personal research.
In July of 1985, 1 was a full participant in the first night of the group's basic training in Los
Angeles. This was a five-hour evening of lectures and group processes with about 250
participants.
On the second night of that training, after an hour of negotiating, I was not allowed to finish the
training because I would not sign a consent form, which released the training, its agents, and
employees from any liability arising from my participation in the training.
