BRAINWASHING Meaning and
Definition
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Brainwashing is a phenomenon characterized by the manipulation and control of an individual's thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors through various psychological techniques. It involves a systematic process of influencing and conditioning the mind of an individual, typically with the intention of altering their worldview, attitudes, or values.
The concept of brainwashing is often associated with coercive and manipulative practices employed by individuals or groups in order to gain undue influence or control over others. This can occur within various settings, such as cults, totalitarian regimes, or abusive relationships, where individuals are subjected to intense psychological manipulation.
Typical techniques employed in brainwashing include isolation from external influences, repetitive conditioning exercises, information control, inducement of fear, guilt, or shame, and the manipulation of emotions. These methods aim to break down an individual's sense of self, independence, and critical thinking, gradually replacing their thoughts and beliefs with those prescribed by the manipulator.
Brainwashing can have profound and long-lasting effects on the individual's cognitive processes, emotional well-being, and behavior. Those subjected to brainwashing may exhibit unquestioning loyalty towards the manipulator or group, even when their beliefs or actions contradict their previous convictions or societal norms.
It is important to note that brainwashing can be a controversial term and its existence is debated among experts. Some argue that individuals are more resilient to manipulation than others, and that factors such as personality traits, vulnerability, and psychological resilience play a significant role in determining susceptibility to brainwashing techniques.
Common Misspellings for BRAINWASHING
Etymology of BRAINWASHING
The term "brainwashing" originated in the 1950s during the Korean War. It is a translation of the Chinese term "xǐnǎo" (洗脑) which literally means "washing the brain". This term was used by Chinese communists to describe the techniques they claimed were used to transform the thinking of prisoners of war and other individuals to align with communist ideology.
The Chinese term itself was not a new invention but had been used in the context of re-education and thought reform since the early 20th century. The Communist Party of China used techniques such as propaganda, psychological manipulation, and coercive persuasion to influence and control the thoughts and beliefs of individuals.
The concept of brainwashing gained significant attention in the Western world after American prisoners of war returning from the Korean War reported experiences of intense indoctrination and re-education efforts by the Chinese captors.
Similar spelling words for BRAINWASHING
Conjugate verb Brainwashing
CONDITIONAL
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FUTURE
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FUTURE PERFECT
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PRESENT
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