Brainwashing: The Science of Thought Control (edition 2006)

by Kathleen Taylor

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Lenaphoenix's review

I got this book hoping that it would provide me with scientific evidence that would help me develop a more informed opinion on the controversial issue of brainwashing. Unfortunately, Taylor points out that it is ethically impossible to conduct controlled brainwashing studies, so I did not find the specific evidence I was looking for. What the book does provide, however, is a detailed discussion of what science can tell us about how we come to believe what we do, and how influence attempts can impact that process.

Taylor’s discussion of influence techniques is thorough, ranging from advertising and education through systematic techniques used by cult leaders to the physical abuse used on American prisoners during the Korean War. By diving into neuroscience to detail how concepts and ideas are established in the brain, Taylor offers insight into how different kinds of manipulation attempts try to change how people think about the world around them. Her discussion of how skilled manipulators work to link strong emotion to a new idea in attempt to bypass the critical thought processes that would make people stop and think is particularly important for people interested in cultic issues.
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Lenaphoenix | Aug 9, 2007 |

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The subject matter of this book is extremely fascinating, and the author is quite thorough in her multi-faceted approach, including insights from neuroscience, psychology, history, sociology, even literature. Unfortunately, the poor structure of the book doesn't quite put it all together. This is only made worse by the fact that the author doesn't ever define the word used for the book's title, so that any instance of mental manipulation could be included under a vague umbrella. I think the book would have been more effective if the focus was narrowed to examples of mass manipulation by force and stealth, which is likely what readers are looking for in a book entitled Brainwashing. A little humor and personality would have went a long way, too. In the end, this book is a champion for critical thinking, which is good because you'll need it to navigate the awkward order of information and the author's occasional condescension of ideas she disagrees with. Take it all with a grain of salt, and you just might enjoy this well-researched but disorganized book. (

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JosephVanBuren | May 17, 2022 |

I bought this book in order to read more theoretical discussions about thought control. I did not get this in this book (although to be fair, I didn't read it in its entirety). What I got was chapter after chapter defending various social institutions with a definite right-wing slant. I also got amazing glimpses in the disturbed mind of the author (such as her comment about Lolitas roaming the streets or that it's people's fault if they fall for advertising). What I didn't get was actual information about thought control. This book is garbage (now literally, in my case).

FrancoisTremblay | Jul 13, 2018 |

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Lenaphoenix | Aug 9, 2007 |

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