Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 6, No. 2, 1989, Page 10
who accept a view of cultic conversion as involving a complex and not completely
understood interplay of personal, social-psychological and possibly dissociative forces.
These individuals currently disassociate themselves from coerced or involuntary
deprogramming, and they typically eschew a simplistic “brainwashing” explanation of cult
conversion, talking instead of “undue influence,” “unethical communication” and “the
systematic manipulation of social and psychological influence” (c.f., Cialdini, 1984 Clark, et.
Al, 1981 Cunningham, 1984 Singer, 1982).
Models of Coercive Cult Conversion
There are three predominant but not exclusive models of coercive cult conversion. The first
and perhaps most fully articulated “brainwashing” model was formulated by Lifton (1961).
Lifton, a psychoanalytically-trained psychiatrist, developed his theory following extensive
clinical interviews with Chinese and Western survivors of (and refugees from) the Red
Chinese “reeducation” program that followed the Communist takeover of mainland china in
1949. His theory has its roots in the psychoanalytic concept of “ego psychology.”
Nevertheless, I use the term “psychodynamic/social-psychological” to describe Lifton‟s
model, because of his emphasis on integrating the intrapsychic, social, and cultural contexts
in which ego regression and thought reform occur.
Lifton: an Early Psychodynamic/Social-Psychological Model
Chapter 22 (pp. 419-437) of Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism (Lifton, 1961)
summarizes Lifton‟s eight major points about coercive persuasion, and defines the
necessary conditions that must be met before a persuasion process can be termed coercive
“brainwashing.” In summarizing this chapter, I will provide examples of how various cults,
including the International society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON, the Hare Krishnas),
employ each technique.
Milieu control. “Milieu control” refers to a rigid structuring of the environment in which
communication is regulated and access to information is strictly controlled. In my April,
1975 experiences at the Unification Church‟s Barrytown seminary, there were no channels
to outside information sources (e.g., television, radio, newspapers, etc.) and recruits were
assigned to two “buddies” with the admonition that we were to ask them any and all
questions.
In ISKCON, temple members are kept isolated and communication between devotees and
especially with outside sources is restricted Krishna devotees are taught that non-ISKCON
information is maya (illusion) and non-ISKCON sources of information are “demons.”
Mystical manipulation. “Mystical manipulation” refers to the use of planned, or
engineered, spontaneity that is, thought reformers manipulate recruits in such a way as to
make their behaviors appear spontaneous and internally-generated. In addition, cult
institutions are given an aura of great mystery and divinity. In my experiences with the
Unification Church (U.C.), for example, recruits were deliberately “love-bombed” and
subjected to other forms of emotional intensity. They were kept awake long hours and food
was devoid of protein and variety. The result was often a planned state of intense
physiological arousal that was then ascribed to the recruit‟s “spiritual nature” (i.e.,
predestination to be a Moonist).
In ISKCON, leaders (gurus), temples and statues of divinities are ascribed great mystical
powers, as is the Hare Krishna chant. New devotees are also love-bombed. ISKCON leaders
maintain an aura of great mystical purpose, and devotees who rise within ISKCON
institutions are said to be “chosen” or “spiritually pure.” Gurus who rise to the status of
Governing Board Council members can proclaim themselves to be “spiritual masters” with
the power to engage in sin because anything they do is by definition “purified.”
who accept a view of cultic conversion as involving a complex and not completely
understood interplay of personal, social-psychological and possibly dissociative forces.
These individuals currently disassociate themselves from coerced or involuntary
deprogramming, and they typically eschew a simplistic “brainwashing” explanation of cult
conversion, talking instead of “undue influence,” “unethical communication” and “the
systematic manipulation of social and psychological influence” (c.f., Cialdini, 1984 Clark, et.
Al, 1981 Cunningham, 1984 Singer, 1982).
Models of Coercive Cult Conversion
There are three predominant but not exclusive models of coercive cult conversion. The first
and perhaps most fully articulated “brainwashing” model was formulated by Lifton (1961).
Lifton, a psychoanalytically-trained psychiatrist, developed his theory following extensive
clinical interviews with Chinese and Western survivors of (and refugees from) the Red
Chinese “reeducation” program that followed the Communist takeover of mainland china in
1949. His theory has its roots in the psychoanalytic concept of “ego psychology.”
Nevertheless, I use the term “psychodynamic/social-psychological” to describe Lifton‟s
model, because of his emphasis on integrating the intrapsychic, social, and cultural contexts
in which ego regression and thought reform occur.
Lifton: an Early Psychodynamic/Social-Psychological Model
Chapter 22 (pp. 419-437) of Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism (Lifton, 1961)
summarizes Lifton‟s eight major points about coercive persuasion, and defines the
necessary conditions that must be met before a persuasion process can be termed coercive
“brainwashing.” In summarizing this chapter, I will provide examples of how various cults,
including the International society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON, the Hare Krishnas),
employ each technique.
Milieu control. “Milieu control” refers to a rigid structuring of the environment in which
communication is regulated and access to information is strictly controlled. In my April,
1975 experiences at the Unification Church‟s Barrytown seminary, there were no channels
to outside information sources (e.g., television, radio, newspapers, etc.) and recruits were
assigned to two “buddies” with the admonition that we were to ask them any and all
questions.
In ISKCON, temple members are kept isolated and communication between devotees and
especially with outside sources is restricted Krishna devotees are taught that non-ISKCON
information is maya (illusion) and non-ISKCON sources of information are “demons.”
Mystical manipulation. “Mystical manipulation” refers to the use of planned, or
engineered, spontaneity that is, thought reformers manipulate recruits in such a way as to
make their behaviors appear spontaneous and internally-generated. In addition, cult
institutions are given an aura of great mystery and divinity. In my experiences with the
Unification Church (U.C.), for example, recruits were deliberately “love-bombed” and
subjected to other forms of emotional intensity. They were kept awake long hours and food
was devoid of protein and variety. The result was often a planned state of intense
physiological arousal that was then ascribed to the recruit‟s “spiritual nature” (i.e.,
predestination to be a Moonist).
In ISKCON, leaders (gurus), temples and statues of divinities are ascribed great mystical
powers, as is the Hare Krishna chant. New devotees are also love-bombed. ISKCON leaders
maintain an aura of great mystical purpose, and devotees who rise within ISKCON
institutions are said to be “chosen” or “spiritually pure.” Gurus who rise to the status of
Governing Board Council members can proclaim themselves to be “spiritual masters” with
the power to engage in sin because anything they do is by definition “purified.”
