This article is adapted from Dr Margaret Singer's Coercive Mind Control Tactics
coerce.
1
: to restrain or dominate by force
2 : to compel to an act or choice
3 : to bring about by force or threat
Through the use of its question and answer format the WTS conducts a behavioral change programs using coercion to cause the acceptance of a set of beliefs, and behaviors.
In such a program the propspective member is slowed pushed to change during a progression of seemingly small steps. The prospective member rarely notices each small change.
Group dynamics are often used to reinforce the new belief system. At meetings the new study never sees objections or questionning of the material presented. They learn quickly to accept the information without question.
The goal of the indoctrination program is to overcome the student?s ability to critally analize the material presented to them. The material is simplistic but the student has no idea how misleading the logic is within the material. The question and formatted answers prevent real consideration of the information and lead to easy acceptance. Presented with this simplistic form of "education" the prospective member loses the ability to make independent decisions and exercise informed consent.
The tactics used to create undue psychological and social influence, often by means involving anxiety and stress, fall into seven main categories.
- TACTIC 1
Increase suggestibilityand "soften up" the individual through specific hypnotic or other suggestibility-increasing techniques such as: Extended audio, visual, verbal, or tactile fixation drills, Excessive exact repetition of routine activities, Sleep restriction and/or Nutritional restriction.
I used to think this did not apply to the JWs. But I have reconsidered this. The monotonous "read the question, read the paragraph, find the answer and repeat it and so on" has the tendency to numb the senses. The monotony of the study procedure itself is bad enough but the process also involves preparation before the actualy study. And the same material is covered repetitively all of the study material provided by the WTS. Even after many years as a full member of the JWs people will be confronted with the same material presented in a myriad of different ways but always with the same question and answer format.While the practice of chanting or meditation as know in some groups might not be a practice amongst the JWs this constant repetition of the same material would have the same effect asthose other practices. TACTIC 2 Establish control over the person's social environment, time and sources of social supportby a system of often-excessive rewards and punishments. Social isolation is promoted. Contact with family and friends is abridged, as is contact with persons who do not share group-approved attitudes. Economic and other dependence on the group is fostered.
From the time a person begins to study with the JWs they are subjected to suble attepmts to get them to conform to certain behaviors and beliefs. People are told that if anyone objects to their studying with the JWs and some of their initial changes that the objections are really from Satan who is trying to pull them away from doing the right thing and serving God. As friends and family refuse to accept the new changes the student gradually begins to isolate themsleves from the Satanic influence of those who oppose them. With fewer of the old friends and family around them the JWs gain a greater hold on the new person and have greater influence over them. In time the only friends the person will have are other JWs. The group becomes the source of emotional, physical and spiritual attachment and therefore dependancy. TACTIC 3 Prohibit disconfirming information and non-supporting opinions in group communication. Rules exist about permissible topics to discuss with outsiders. Communication is highly controlled. An "in-group" language is usually constructed.
Most information not published by the WTB&TS is prohibited. Anyone caught with information that opposes the position of the WTB&TS can be brought before a judicial committee and receive reproof by the elders. Communication with outsiders should always be with a view to "give a witness? or to indoctrinate them. Relationships with outsiders are strongly discouraged and marriage is to be with only other members. Failure to follow the rules results in reproof. TACTIC 4 Make the person re-evaluate the most central aspects of his or her experience of self and prior conduct in negative ways. Efforts are designed to destabilize and undermine the subject's basic consciousness, reality awareness, world-view, emotional control and defense mechanisms. The subject is guided to reinterpret his or her life's history and adopt a new version of causality.
During the process of indoctrination all apsects of an individual?s life are to be examined to make sure they are in conformity to the rules. Before baptism as a JW prospective members undergo an oral examination to ensure they understand the basics of the beliefs and that they do indeed conform. All beliefs and behaviors of the member becomes focused through the world-view of the WTS. TACTIC 5 Create a sense of powerlessnessby subjecting the person to intense and frequent actions and situations that undermine the person's confidence in himself and his judgment.
Members are encouraged to seek the assistance of the elders to help them make most life decisions. Members are continuously remeinded that they are subject to attack my Satan and must rely on the WTS and the elders for guidance and protection. Without this assistance they will most definitely succumb to the attacks of the Devil. Relying on oneself or on one?s own understanding is an act of pride and rebellion and is subject to sanctions. TACTIC 6 Create strong aversive emotional arousalsin the subject by use of nonphysical punishments such as intense humiliation, loss of privilege, social isolation, social status changes, intense guilt, anxiety, manipulation and other techniques.
Most members become very fearful of the possibility of reproof by the elders. Members know that other members may report them for behavior or ideas that are contrary to the WTS beliefs. Discipline such as marking or public reproof serve to act as controls. However, the greatest fear is not that God will punish them but that the elders will disfellowship them and therefore cut them off from association with all their friends and family. Since they have cut off all association with non-JWs they know they will be effectively isolated if they are Dfed. TACTIC 7 Intimidate the person with the force of group-sanctioned secular psychological threats. For example, it may be suggested or implied that failure to adopt the approved attitude, belief or consequent behavior will lead to severe punishment or dire consequences such as physical or mental illness, the reappearance of a prior physical illness, drug dependence, economic collapse, social failure, divorce, disintegration, failure to find a mate, etc.
Stories abound of people who have left the WTS to live lives of debauchery, filled with sickness, poverty and addictions along with a wide range of other social and physical problems. Constant reminders serve to warn people of the dangers of living outside the organization. Safety exists only for those who are obedient and submissive followers.
