Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 8, No. 1, 1991, Page 60
Wright did not do) as a process of manipulation, social influence, or control. Then I will
admit that I have talked directly with many persons who had been brainwashed, heard
considerable direct testimony about snapping, and, as a result, am convinced that
brainwashing exists. However, it is not a precise term. Listen to Wright‟s subjects:... “they
tell you if you leave the movement you are spiritually dead” (p. 33)... “they had the
authority to tell you anything” (p. 34)...”I didn‟t feel if you wanted to attain God
consciousness it was necessary to do all the things they asked” (p. 41)... “You know we
were so convinced that the tribulation was going to start like it says in the book of
Revelation” (p. 43)... “How can he [Prabhupada] say this? He is supposed to be a pure
devotee, perfect, holy, and sinless, and he is saying that lying and stealing is [sic] not
wrong” (p. 49)... “It was taught that if you left the church you would lose your salvation”
(p. 69).
To sum up, the monograph is worth reading because the interview material is fascinating.
However, readers should beware. Wright‟s commitment theory and his various propositions
about defection are jargon-filled, sophisticated, and complex (based on an admittedly
biased interpretation of the raw data) yet, in fact, if examined closely, the raw data can be
construed as consistent with theories of social control, manipulation, and intense
persuasion. Far from evidence about the absence of brainwashing, examples of mind control
can be easily found in the words of the study participants. In fact, Wright says, “...world
transforming movements exercise little selectivity in recruiting and tend to rely more on
intensive socialization processes to secure commitment” (p. 12).
Arthur A. Dole, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
Psychology in Education Division
Graduate School of Education
University of Pennsylvania
This article is an electronic version of book reviews originally published in Cultic Studies Journal, 1991, Volume 8,
Number 1, pages 80-90. Please keep in mind that the pagination of this electronic reprint differs from that of the
bound volume. This fact could affect how you enter bibliographic information in papers that you may write.
Wright did not do) as a process of manipulation, social influence, or control. Then I will
admit that I have talked directly with many persons who had been brainwashed, heard
considerable direct testimony about snapping, and, as a result, am convinced that
brainwashing exists. However, it is not a precise term. Listen to Wright‟s subjects:... “they
tell you if you leave the movement you are spiritually dead” (p. 33)... “they had the
authority to tell you anything” (p. 34)...”I didn‟t feel if you wanted to attain God
consciousness it was necessary to do all the things they asked” (p. 41)... “You know we
were so convinced that the tribulation was going to start like it says in the book of
Revelation” (p. 43)... “How can he [Prabhupada] say this? He is supposed to be a pure
devotee, perfect, holy, and sinless, and he is saying that lying and stealing is [sic] not
wrong” (p. 49)... “It was taught that if you left the church you would lose your salvation”
(p. 69).
To sum up, the monograph is worth reading because the interview material is fascinating.
However, readers should beware. Wright‟s commitment theory and his various propositions
about defection are jargon-filled, sophisticated, and complex (based on an admittedly
biased interpretation of the raw data) yet, in fact, if examined closely, the raw data can be
construed as consistent with theories of social control, manipulation, and intense
persuasion. Far from evidence about the absence of brainwashing, examples of mind control
can be easily found in the words of the study participants. In fact, Wright says, “...world
transforming movements exercise little selectivity in recruiting and tend to rely more on
intensive socialization processes to secure commitment” (p. 12).
Arthur A. Dole, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
Psychology in Education Division
Graduate School of Education
University of Pennsylvania
This article is an electronic version of book reviews originally published in Cultic Studies Journal, 1991, Volume 8,
Number 1, pages 80-90. Please keep in mind that the pagination of this electronic reprint differs from that of the
bound volume. This fact could affect how you enter bibliographic information in papers that you may write.
