Coercive persuasion
1357108
216722075
2008-06-02T22:30:19Z
RussBot
279219
Robot-assisted fix [[WP:DPL|links to disambiguation page]] Fraternity
'''Coercive persuasion''' comprises social influences capable of producing substantial behavior, attitude and [[ideology]] change through the use of [[coercive]] tactics and [[persuasion]], via [[Interpersonal relationship|interpersonal]] and group-based influences.
The term was coined by [[Edgar Schein]]{{ref|Schein1}} in 1961 in relation to his study of Chinese POWs' indoctrination. According to Schein, ''the essence of coercive persuasion, ..., is to produce ideological and behavioral changes in a fully conscious, mentally intact individual.'' Schein notes that elements of coercive persuasion exist in many areas of human endeavor such as college [[Fraternities and sororities|fraternities]], established [[religion]], social rehabilitation programmes, the armed forces, and other conventional institutions. Schein also suggests that the popular image of [[brainwashing]] as entailing "extensive self-delusion and excessive [mental] distortion [...] is a false one." {{ref|Schein2}}
Martyn Carruthers has the following definition: ''"Coercive persuasion attempts to force people to change beliefs, ideas, attitudes or behaviors using [[Peer pressure|psychological pressure]], [[undue influence]], threats, anxiety, intimidation and/or stress. (Coercive persuasion has been called [[mind control]] and brainwashing.)'' {{ref|carruthers}}
Coercive persuasion is studied in [[managerial psychology]], [[psychology of religion]], [[epistemology]], [[civil law (legal system)]], [[politics]], [[diplomacy]], and different aspects of [[sociology]].
In academic fields, the terms ''coercive persuasion'', ''coercive psychological systems'' or ''coercive influence'' are often used interchangeably.
Coercive persuasion is used as a [[deterrent]] in diplomacy and [[war]]fare, using a threat to use force, or a credible threat to escalate a crisis or war to a more dangerous level.{{ref|cimbala}}
Some scholars such as [[Michael Langone]] or J.K. Ungerleider use the term coercive persuasion in the same sense as [[brainwashing]], [[thought reform]] or [[mind control]]{{ref|langone}} {{ref|unger}} and connect it to methods of cultic groups in acquiring and retaining members. This view is disputed by scholars such as James Gene{{ref|Gene}} and Bette Nove Evans {{ref|Evans}}, among others, while the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion{{ref|SSSR}} stated in 1990 that there was not sufficient research to permit a consensus on the matter and that "one should not automatically equate the techniques involved in the process of physical coercion and control with those of nonphysical coercion and control". A similar statement was made by the [[American Psychological Association]] in 1987 when they rejected the report produced by the "[[APA taskforce on Deceptive and Indirect Techniques of Persuasion and Control]]" (DIMPAC)).{{ref|DIMPAC}}, stating that "the brainwashing theory espoused lacks the scientific rigor and evenhanded critical approach necessary for APA imprimatur." See also [[Brainwashing#Brainwashing controversies|Brainwashing controversies]].
In the cases of Molko vs. Holy Spirit Association and Wollersheim vs. Church of Scientology, coercive persuasion was connected by the plaintiffs to the legal concept of [[undue influence]]{{ref|molko}}{{ref|factnet}}.
Tactics mentioned in describing coercive persuasion can include everyday methods like hard sale tactics or environmental control like described by [[Mind control#Lifton brainwashing model|Robert Lifton]].
==See also==
* [[Evangelism]]
==References==
#{{note|Schein1}} Schein, Edgar, ''Coercive Persuasion: A socio-psychological analysis of the "brainwashing" of American civilian prisoners by the Chinese Communists'' (1961), W. W. Norton (publishers), (1971 edition ISBN 0-393-00613-1)
#{{note|Schein2}} Schein, Edgar, ''Brainwashing and Totalitarianization in Modern Society'' (1959)
#{{note|carruthers}} Carruthers, Martyn, Prevent Coercive Persuasion & Mind Control [http://www.systemiccoaching.com/coercion.htm (online)] Retrieved November 2005
#{{note|cimbala}} Cimbala, Stephen ''The Politics of Warfare'' (2004) pp.144-5 , Penn State Press, ISBN 0-271-02592-1
#{{note|langone}} Langone, Michael, '' Cults Questions and Answers]'' [http://www.csj.org/infoserv_articles/langone_michael_cultmindctr.htm (Online)] Retrieved November 2005
#{{note|unger}} Ungerleider and Wellish, ''Coercive persuasion (brainwashing), religious cults, and deprogramming'' American Journal of Psychatry, 1979
#{{note|Gene}} Gene G. James, ''Brainwashing: The Myth and the Actuality'' [[Fordham University]] Quarterly, Volume LXI, June 1986
#{{note|Evans}} Novit Evas, Bette ''Interpreting the Free Exercise of Religion: The Constitution and American Pluralism'', () pp.91-3, UNC Press, ISBN 0-8078-4674-0
#:"For legal purposes, the term coercive persuassion [as it pertains to the acquisition of religious beliefs] is both conceptually flawed as well as unworkable within the limits of the First Amendment"
#{{note|SSSR}} ''Society for the Scientific Study of Religion'', council meeting on the 7th of November 1990 [http://rra.hartsem.edu/sssr/SSSR/BUSINESS/90.html (Online)]
#{{note|DIMPAC}} APA Board of Social and Ethical Responsibility for Psychology, Memo re Final Report of DIMPAC Task Force, Board of Social and Ethical Responsibility for Psychology, May 11, 1987 [http://www.cesnur.org/testi/APA.htm (online)]
#{{note|molko}} Molko v. Holy Spirit Assn. (1988) 46 C3d 1092 [http://online.ceb.com/calcases/C3/46C3d1092.htm (online)]
#{{note|factnet}} Document presented to the U.S. Supreme Court in the case Wollersheim vs. Churchof Scientology ''How does mind control work?: A technical overview of mind control tactics'' [http://www.factnet.org/rancho1.htm (Online)] Retrieved November 2005
== External links ==
* [http://www.xs4all.nl/~anco/mental/randr/psychref.htm Academic References from Coercive Persuasion and Attitude Change]
* Bardin David J., ''[http://www.csj.org/infoserv_articles/bardin_david_psy_coercion_human_rights.htm Psychological coercion and human rights]''
* Carruthers, Martyn: [http://www.systemiccoaching.com/coercion.htm Prevent Coercive Persuasion & Mind Control]
* Fingarette, Herbert, ''[http://www.lermanet.com/cos/Robbins.html Coercion, Coercive Persuasion, and the Law]'' in Robbins, Shepherd, and McBride, (ed), ''Cults, Culture, and Law: Perspectives on New Religious Movements'', Scholars Press, California 1985.
* Hunter, Edna: ''[http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/aureview/1983/Jan-Feb/hunter.html Coercive Persuasion: The Myth of Free Will]''
* Ofshe, Richard J. ''[http://www.xs4all.nl/~anco/mental/randr/ofshe.htm Coercive Persuasion and Attitude Change]'' Encyclopedia of Sociology Volume 1, Macmillan Publishing Company, New York
* Pierce, Richard, ''[http://www.maxxsystems.com Real Secrets of Coercive Persuasion]''
* Schein, Edgar: ''[http://www.continents.com/Art19.htm Organizational Learning as Cognitive Re-definition: Coercive Persuasion Revisited]''
* Singer, Margaret ''[http://www.rickross.com/reference/singer/singer7.html Coercive Persuasion and the Problems of Ex-Cult Members]''
* Singer, Margaret ''[http://www.factnet.org/coercivemindcontrol.html Coercive Mind Control Tactics]''
* [http://pages.prodigy.net/mschnall/politics.html Allegorical Example of Coercive Persuasion From Television's X-Files (30-second clip)]
{{cult mind control links}}
[[Category:Anti-cult terms and concepts]]
[[Category:Brainwashing techniques]]
[[Category:Mind control methods]]
[[Category:Psychological abuse]]