Thought reform and the psychology of totalism
a study of "brainwashing" in China
by Robert Jay Lifton · first published 1961
83% recommend17% neutral
Why HN recommends it
A careful, sober study of coercive persuasion and thought reform, drawing on interviews with people who went through it; a grounded starting point for understanding cults and indoctrination.
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There's lots and lots written about cults and cult leaders, which is worth reading, such as Combatting Cult Mind Control by Steven Hassan, or if you prefer a more traditional take, "Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism" by Robert Jay Lifton. Or any of other dozens of good authoritative takes on the subject by people who have spent their careers formally studying such phenomena, which can draw lines between all kinds…
on “How to Spot Cult Leader Personalities” ↗I haven't thought too long about the article, but to me one perspective seems missing: Psychologist Robert Jay Lifton wrote an extremely impressive and surprisingly sober book "Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism" on the torture methods used in mainland China. He interviewed victims that had just escaped to Hong Kong (then still a safe harbor for civic freedom). This book has much more detailed, personal impressions…
on “Thought Examinations, Indoctrination Meetings and Struggle Sessions” ↗Read 'The BITE Model Of Authoritarian Control: Undue Influence, Thought Reform, Brainwashing, Mind Control, Trafficking And The Law' by Steven Alan Hassan or 'Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of “Brainwashing” in China' by Robert Jay Lifton (both readily available as PDF online)
on ““User Engagement” Is Code for “Addiction”” ↗…This has a way of breaking the weak-willed, often in a psychological reversal/delusion. I hope you are a strong person, we need more rational people if we are to survive as a species. Robert Lifton (Thought Reform and The Psychology of Totalism) Joost Meerloo (Rape of the Mind) Robert Cialdini (Influence) USMC Press (Political Warfare)(Free ebook at their website)
on “Lichess: Post-Mortem of Our Longest Downtime” ↗…because it vanished immediately after it happened. If you'd like to research these mechanisms for Thought Reform and indoctrination from sound expert material further (its dark), I'd suggest Robert Lifton "Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism", and John Meerloo "Rape of the Mind" for the foundational material. Its not absurd like most people are conditioned to believe from the irrational association of this depicted subject in media. Communists…
on “Why privacy is important, and having "nothing to hide" is irrelevant (2016)” ↗I'd suggest you check out the books I mentioned. The case studies written in Robert Lifton's book, "Thought Reform, and the Psychology of Totalism", have many details of the elements, taken from first-hand accounts (PoWs), back in the 50s. Many of these people never recovered. Joost Meerloo, Rape of the Mind has an overview of the process, observations,…
on “Treating bullying as everyone's problem reduces incidence in primary schools” ↗…their fields, or have been recognized by established experts for the excellence of their published works. Joost Meerloo, "Rape of the Mind" (1950s) Robert Cialdini, "Influence" (1990s) Robert Lifton, "Thought Reform and the psychology of Totalism" (1950s)
on “Ask HN: How do you prevent the impact of social media on your children?” ↗…https://progressiveawareness.org/research_desk_reference/leg... Robert Cialdini, "Influence" is all about psychological blindspots used in clustering; excepting distorted reflected appraisal. Robert Lifton, "Thought Reform, and the psychology of totalism" Joost Meerloo, "Rape of the Mind", covers the Nazi's contributions to this as well though a bit dated. Igor Ledochowski, has a number of programs that push the SOTA with regards to hypnosis. Torture…
on “Brainwash '72 [video]” ↗…Psychological blindspots leveraged except distorted reflected appraisal (through communications). Joost Meerloo, "Rape of the Mind" - Overview of torture for thought reform, WW2 thru Mao. Robert Lifton, "Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism" - Case Studies of returning PoWs 1950s, Mao China - Elements, Structuring, Clustering.
on “The Psychology of Deception – By Caroline Orr Bueno, PhD” ↗The (un)funny thing about CBT is that it is almost indistinguishable from the totalism and thought reform techniques deployed by the Communists in China, as described by Robert Jay Lifton in his work -- Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of "Brainwashing" in China [0]. A read through Wilhelm Reich's earlier work [1] and a look at his fundamental dispute with Freud (i.e. - is depression and anxiety a problem in the individual,…
on “America Has Reached Peak Therapy. Why Is Our Mental Health Getting Worse?” ↗…reactions that can (under sustained use) cause psychotic break (i.e. crazy-making). This has been documented indirectly through case studies done by Robert Lifton in the 1950s, aggregated in his book "Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism". The moment you put words in others mouths, in this case change the underlying meaning which is inseparable context, you've engaged in these activities with intent. Not only that, but the moment you…
on “Call centers introduce 'emotion canceling' AI as a 'mental shield' for workers” ↗Foundational material comes from 1940s and 1950s wartime records of torture done on individuals during WW2 and Korean Conflict (under Mao). You can find the raw case studies in the literature: Robert Lifton "Thought Reform & The psychology of totalism"; John Meerloo "Rape of the Mind" covers the methodology often used along with knowledge at the time that physical coercion is not effective comp
on “I am starting an AI+Education company” ↗…they say in that video is just an extension through technology of subject matter developed under Maoist torture for thought reform (1950s), where they made this work and broke perception. [Robert Lifton, Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism] Its been a long winding progression from WW2 forward, where advances in science during that time included this dark subject matter. Imagine this simple application to dating apps. You only see people…
on “Dismantling Google is a terrible idea” ↗…provide some foundational details (depending on the instructor), Sapir-Whorf has basis in blindspots. Robert Lifton touches on the detailed case studies of torture from the 1950s (under Mao), in his book "Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism", and I've heard in later books he creates a framework that classifies cultures as Protean (self-direction, growth, self-determination/agency), or Totalism (towards control which eventually fails Darwin's…
on “'It cannot provide nuance': UK experts warn AI therapy chatbots are not safe” ↗…Cialdini - Influence (psychological blindspots leveraged for clustering without distorted reflected appraisal) Joost Meerloo - Rape of the Mind (1950s) - Overview and related factors Robert Lifton - Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism - Case Studies of PoWs returning from Mao's China during Korean Conflict covers structuring and elements.
on “At a Loss for Words: A flawed idea is teaching kids to be poor readers (2019)” ↗