Posted by:
Nightingale
(
)
Date: August 30, 2022 05:39PM
I agree with your words 'indoctrination' and 'subservience', cl2.
Below is an interesting (quite short) article that mentions the concepts of indoctrination and brainwashing. It touches on their conclusion that there is more to unequal relationships (understatement) than indoctrination and subservience. In short, the dynamics are complex.
I find it instructive to examine them because understanding is the key to overcoming, in many instances.
Beyond ‘Indoctrination’ and ‘Brainwashing’: Understanding the Transmission of Extreme Beliefs
https://www.leidensecurityandglobalaffairs.nl/articles/beyond-indoctrination-and-brainwashing-understanding-the-transmission-of-extreme-beliefsExcerpts:
“According to Merriam Webster, brainwashing is defined as the “forcible indoctrination to induce someone to give up basic political, social, or religious beliefs and attitudes and to accept contrasting regimented ideas”. Sociologist Massimo Introvigne (2004) describes how the concept of brainwashing was first introduced in the United States, during the Korean War (1950-1953) and the Cold War (1945-1991). Back then, it served to understand how seemingly ‘normal’ people could convert to putative ‘evil’ ideologies, such as Communism. It was thought that brainwashing could be reversed by so called ‘deprogramming’ methods. The goal of these methods was to rewire the brain of indoctrinated individuals by using excessive force, coercion techniques, and hypnosis. The CIA would frequently use deprogramming techniques on suspected defectors of the American army, who were thought to support Communist movements (Young, 2012).
“At the same time, a strong anti-cult discourse emerged within American society. This was a reaction to all kinds of New Religious Movements that gained popularity in the 1970s. Since many of these movements borrowed and reinterpreted select elements from Hinduism and Buddhism, they were perceived as a potential threat against the Protestant Church and its traditions – religious historian John Gordon Melton (1999) explains. American parents increasingly struggled to understand why their ‘civilized’ children would suddenly convert to these pagan ‘cults’. To them, the concepts of brainwashing and indoctrination provided a welcome rationale.
“…from a scientific perspective, there is little evidence supporting the brainwashing thesis. On the contrary, authors generally point at its lack of scientific validity (Young, 2012). An empirical analysis by Grail and Rudy (1985), for example, showed how the social context of extreme groups (i.e. belonging to a community of likeminded individuals) is very important. This social aspect is largely disregarded by brainwashing theories.
“Moreover, concepts of brainwashing and indoctrination disregard the notion of free will. They thereby ignore the fact that it is possible for people to break away from extreme beliefs on their own, without needing to be ‘deprogrammed’.
“…sectarian, radical and extremist ideas are transmitted from parent to child in various ways. Manipulation, coercion, and exploitation can be part of these processes, but not necessarily so. The role of loyalty, trust and affection in the transmission of extreme beliefs remains overlooked.
“…taking control of the trauma narrative and regaining a sense of agency, is crucial for overcoming and making sense of early-life exposure to extreme beliefs.”
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The article states:
"...it is possible for people to break away from extreme beliefs on their own, without needing to be ‘deprogrammed’."
I agree with this if you're thinking only of people leaving such a group that was harming them.
Perhaps one's subconscious activates the 'flight or fight' phenomenon. One may not be able to think past the overwhelming impulse at some point to just get out.
That does not mean that the indoctrination instantly vanishes nor the tendency to be subservient if that is how one was raised and/or expected/pressured to be for a long period of time.
Discussion boards like this are ample evidence that it takes time (often much time) to work through WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED and to essentially 're-program' oneself to a more "normal" way of thinking, understanding, and living.
In my case, being the dope that joined both the JWs and the Mormons at various points in life (they are very, very similar on many fronts or at least I found them so - maybe I just went back to the familiar in an unguarded moment when I met some 'nice' Mormons), I didn't so much as make a considered decision to leave but rather bolted in an instant at a certain point, after feeling uncomfortable for a while with various aspects of the faith as well as experiencing events that didn't sit well with me. (Mostly to do with the more fundamentalist nature of both sects that leaks out despite their attempts to appear mainstream).
Whether leaving abruptly or after a period of reflection I think that for most people it can take time, often much time, to reflect on what was, what is, and what can be in the new future for them.
This doesn't mean they weren't inculcated, indoctrinated, and in the case of females (at least, in the JWs and LDS, and in most cults) trained/expected to be subservient to males.
So, the leaving can be rapid but the thinking and re-evaluation and developing of new thought and behaviour patterns undoubtedly is a slow process for many, perhaps a life-long one, depending on the types of experiences they were subjected to.
That's why we talk about it. Takes time. Effort. Insight. Fellow travellers who absolutely understand.
Of course, leaders and promoters of the various closed groups would be insulted at the word 'brainwashing'.
But the further you're away from it yourself, the easier it is to recognize it.
And if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck it's not a horse.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/30/2022 05:42PM by Nightingale.