Customer Reviews

The Manipulated Mind: Brainwashing, Conditioning and Indoctrination

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am interested in mind control and this came recommended as a good book on the subject. However this book is one long history of research into mind control. The book begins with a general description of the first case of actual mind control as performed on American POW's in Korea, where many were so brainwashed that they openly embraced their captors and communism. It was at this point, the author claims, that it was realized that mind control could occur.

It is from this watershed event, and the data collected therefrom, that all current study of brainwashing and mind control stem. The author then surveys the Pavlov dog experiments, animal research, various large scale experiments involving humans where unbelievable counter intuitive results occur. This book is worth its price just to read about these studies into things like 'the gun effect' where people were actually mroe aggressive to an armed motorist getting stuck on a highway then to an unarmed one.

All in all, this is a general study, somewhat outdated, and is written from English points of view. This is a book you can start with, and then use its extensive bibliography to explore areas that interest you more closely.

This book is concerned with brainwashing. However instead of concentrating on the specifics of the techniques used, it presents and analyzes why brainwashing and other forms of conversion are possible. The book extensively quotes from Sargent's seminal studies reported in "Battle for the Mind". Sargent showed how brainwashing and conversion can be traced to a physiological strategy used by the brain to cope with stress. Sargent's insights into this are conclusive but he does to address the question of why this strategy was chosen by evolution and to what purposes it is used. Winn presents results from psychology to show the reasons why as she quotes ' man is a rationalizing animal.' Winn shows how man as a social animal is tuned to adapt to the reality as others find it. Man, as opposed to other animals, has the potential to learn from others and so gives great significance to the knowledge that he finds implicit in the behaviors of others.

Winn's book is a distillation of the research of others. She presents Sargent's ideas but deepens them by putting them in a broader psychological and social perspective. She does not explicitly state this but her book presents the reasons why the capacity for conversion or brainwashing is evolutionarily advantageous. It is a trait that provides us with capacity to create society. Man as a species is creative because `no man is an island'.

This is an excellent book that is well worth reading.

A very clear and well written study of the various means that the media uses to manipulate and control the mass 'thinking' and behavior. I read the original hardcover (used) and now that there is an updated paperback I am ordering it. Very rational investigation by a media reporter, well cited and referenced and a pleasant eye-opening reading. Should be required reading for all poly sci, media, and psych majors.

An extremely engaging book. It is very well written for the layman and on a subject that should interest us all. Experts in psychology that have a genuine talent for writing are rare and I have no hesitation in recommending this book unreservedly.

It takes as its theme, the 'brainwashing' of American soldiers in the korean war, but relates the 'techniques' to influences which operate on us all in our every day life to varying degrees, to influence our thoughts.

An important, but also entertaining book. Two thumbs up! :)

I thought this book did a good job of conveying the info in a rational manner without overhyping the findings. I would recommend Sargents book "the battle for the mind" also, to those who are interested.

Why would the average person not want to know about influences that alter her or his perception of others and the world surrounding them? An excellent source for those that wish to know more about themselves and society.

Every year that goes by, I pat myself on the back for the little nuggets I am able to notice, about myself and the world around me. But, like the old saying goes, "until you focus on a subject it's not part of your world." "The Manipulated Mind" opens the flood gates of our fragile mind. Mine included. That's what happens when you live in your world. Reading this book is not for someone who does not have prior knowledge of how the mind works. The book covers so many areas that it will overwhelm the beginner. The book is an easy read if you can understand the topic. Each chapter is full of information and examples. Each chapter is unique and leads into the following chapter. This book will be read two or three times more just to absorb the information and the conclusions derived from it. It has tremendous application for every day use.

This is a good introduction to many of the issues of how good people come to believe bad things, but it is a little dated. It's written for a popular audience, so someone looking for a more scholarly take may be disappointed.

I recently re-purchased this little book. I gave my first copy to a friend who had just left a religious cult/commune which had just disbanded, due to the departure of its charismatic leader and father figure. This book explains very clearly the principles of mind control, and shows how we are all (who, me?) susceptible. Covering everything from classic Chinese "brainwashing" techniques to good ol' tent revival guilt/redemption strategies, it shows how the guilt inherent in all of us, and the basic need to belong, can be used to alter behaviour, attitudes, and allegiances. I've read "The True Believer", and this is even better. As a bonus, it is British, published in London. I love the way the English construct sentences, and I dig their typography. This book could be used by feminists, aspiring preachers, parents (Nanny 911 uses some of these tricks), or who knows? This is my belated reward for helping a friend understand what had been done to him, and I have relished the re-read. Get this excellent little book now.

What an amazing book like reading my mind, so true, easy to read, gives one a clear understanding of manipulation, conditioning and the negative affects.Gives the reader an inside awareness. Brilliant!