Hi Roger

Not quite sure what question came previously but picking up on this email.
 I don't think I have the book you are looking for but some other books which
might be of use which i will list at the end. if anyone has the book be interested
in this as well. I have, however, previously given some thought on the idea
of the psychology of mind control.

I agree that programming may work too well and think the issue you raise is
fascinating and having felt my own experinces in this context, ironically only
an hour ago I was having a conversation on a personal experience of what i refered
to as mind control when doing the pamper pole, and also like you Roger I have
often wondered how much my work as a practioner is hinged in this ???

Some points I have thought include:

Can social and psychological influence be utilised to make a person believe
anything and do anything ?

Can a person be vaccinated against mind control ?

Under what circumstances is anyone justified in ignoring an individuals apparent
choice (e.g by kidnapping cult members)

Is deprogramming just reprogramming ??

I also think there is debate here around the issue of 'challenge by choice'
we so frequently refer to in outdoor adventure.. for me there is a debate here
which needs to had and even though we make reference to challenge by choice
what are the dynamics of this process and how can the psychology of mind control
debate inform us of this process ??

A quote for thought in the book by Lifton.R.J (1966) Thought Reform of Chinese
Intellectuals, in M.Jahoda & Warren,N (eds) Attitudes: Selected readings Penguin
(p208)

"In its zeal to save souls, its empahsis upon guilt and shame, its demand for
atonement, recantation and reform , it (thought reform) resembles an induced
religious conversion. In its anayltic procedures and its therapeutic emphasis,
it is a coervice form of psychotherapy - unique in supplying both the disease
and the cure. Through all of these techniques it harnesses the most powerful
human emotions in the total manipulation of the individual."

I wonder if this bears any relevance to adventure programming???
fascinating debate be interested to hear more on both a psychological and philosophical
perspective ? I wonder how much these notions hing upon the suggestion by William
James in the distinction between the two aspects of self. The self as subject
'me' and the self as subject 'I'. What is the relationship between mind control
and the components of the changes in 'me' and changes in 'I'. For example how
are changes developmental or situational and how are these two aspects of the
self interelated in the process of mind control ??

Don't know how much that continues the debate ... just some intial thoughts.
Some other ref's which might add to debate ';

Ullman,C (1989) The transformed self. The psychology of religious conversion.
 One interesting chapter Adolescent Conversion and the search for identity.


Sargant,W (1957) Battle for the mind: A physiology of conversion and brainwashing
. Heinemann

Barker,E (1984) The Making of A moonie : Choice or Brainwashing . Blackwell.


Brown J.A.C (1963) Techniques of Persuassion from propoganda to brainwashing
. Pebguin Books.

interested to keep debate going ....
kaye





>I have a book on this subject of deprogramming therapy buried
>somewhere in my house, and just wondered if someone on this list
>may know of the details of this book?
>
>I bought my copy in the early eighties. It was about helping
>young people escape from the brainwashing of cult groups. What
>worried me at the time was that the adventure programmes I was
>providing at the time bore many resemblances to the initial
>weekends that the Moonies were providing. The one thing that
>stood out as being different was the fact that we were
>'zealously' committed to self-development - which also seemed to
>be a reasonable (though not foolproof) strategy for avoiding any
>risk of indoctrination.
>
>Having been involved recently in various research exercises
>designed to demonstrate that adventure 'works', I now recall that
>early on in my career my major concern (as a practitioner) was
>that adventure might work too well. Are we asking the wrong
>questions?
>
>It is memories of these issues that make me wonder whether
>unlearning and deprogramming are closer to the spirit and purpose
>of adventure-based education.
>
>Yes, I will be immensely disappointed if no-one replies, but very
>thankful if someone can help me track down the book.
>
>Roger Greenaway
>Reviewing Skills Training
>[log in to unmask]
>http://reviewing.co.uk
>
>
Kaye Richards
Lecturer in Outdoor Education
Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College
Department of Leisure and Tourism
Wellesbourne Campus
Kingshill Road
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire
HP13 5BB
Tel: 01494 522141 (ext. 4075)
Mobile: 07779 097380
Email: [log in to unmask]

Co-Editor ; Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Leadership
Email: [log in to unmask]
www.adventure-ed.co.uk