Brainwashing (also known as thought reform or re-education) is a general term describing any effort aimed at instilling certain attitudes and beliefs in a person — beliefs sometimes unwelcome or in conflict with the person's prior beliefs and knowledge. While the term was initially popularized in reference to political indoctrination, in recent decades it became associated with new religious movements and other groups popularly known as "cults".
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Brainwashing (also known as thought reform or re-education) is a general term describing any effort aimed at instilling certain attitudes and beliefs in a person — beliefs sometimes unwelcome or in conflict with the person's prior beliefs and knowledge. While the term was initially popularized in reference to political indoctrination, in recent decades it became associated with new religious movements and other groups popularly known as "cults".
There is not a strict scientific definition on what constitutes "brainwashing" (as opposed to extreme propaganda) and in 1987, the American Psychological Association (APA) Board of Social and Ethical Responsibility for Psychology (BSERP) defined it as "lack[ing] the scientific rigor" and "does not believe that we have sufficient information available to guide us in taking a position on this issue." Limited debate amongst APA members on this subject continues while most social scientists have abandoned it altogether.
The term "brainwashing"...
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