Brainwashing

Brainwashing is the process of deliberately subjecting individuals to physical and psychological hardship in order to alter thoughts, attitudes, and actions. It differs from other forms of persuasion or instructions, not only in the key element of coercion but in the radical intent to clear the mind totally of one set of ideas and replace them by another, often completely opposed set.

The two aspects of brainwashing are confession of past crimes of errors, and reeducation to new beliefs. Prisoners are brought to confess by lack of sleep and food and other forms of intense physical discomfort, isolation from familiar surroundings, a prison routine requiring absolute obedience and humility, and social pressure from cell mates. The last includes mutual criticsm and self criticsm sessions, which play particularly on the generalized guilt feeling that all people have to some extent. At the same time regular indoctrination sessions are conducted. The acceptance of the new idea is again fostered by group pressure and the anticipated reward of freedom.

Improved understanding of psychology and neurophysiology have enabled modern totalitarian regimes to create extremely effective brainwashing programs. Some of their technique, however, have been used for centuries; the Inquisition, for example, elicited confession from alleged heretics by similar methods.