Brainwashing How does it work?

Brainwashing: How does it work?
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When we think of brainwashing, we often jump to extremes, like Stockholm syndrome. However, brainwashing is more prevalent among us than we may think. Any emotional stress can bring about a sudden change in beliefs and personality. Think back to being in love, or grief, or any emotion that is intense. At that moment, you were probably more susceptible to different ideas.

Brainwashing uses moments of intense emotion to literally change the way your brain is wired. The method can be used for good as well as for bad. If you are interested in how the mind can be completely manipulated, take a look through this gallery to discover how and why people are brainwashed.

Brainwashing
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According to Merriam-Webster, the formal definition of brainwashing is “a forcible indoctrination to induce someone to give up basic political, social, or religious beliefs and attitudes and to accept contrasting regimented ideas.”

Familiarity
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When you read this, you may think of cults. However, in a diluted form, brainwashing essentially forms the basis for modern-day advertising.


History
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To understand the role it plays in present-day society, we should look at how the term was coined, and the psychology behind brainwashing.

The Korean War (1950-53)
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The identification of brainwashing has its root in 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea. The United Nations sent an international band of troops to fight on the side of South Korea.

South Korea
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At the time, South Korea was effectively a colony of the United States. When North Korea invaded, the American government sent the most amount of money and troops. In the end, 300,000 soldiers were sent over to fight.

North Korea
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North Korea was supported by the Soviet Union and China. As a result, many call the war a proxy war for the tensions that were rising between the East and the West.

Prisoners
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American soldiers made up 90% of the forces against North Korea. Therefore, it was inevitable that some were captured and sent to prisons. When they were released, they were often sent back to the United States.

Odd
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The soldiers who were released were acting exceedingly odd. When they returned home, they extolled the virtues of communism and its leaders. It was very surprising, given that they had been in torturous prisons for months.

Patriots
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Also bear in mind that many of these soldiers were patriots through and through. So much so that they risked their lives to fight for their country.


Investigate
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The US military was sure something was up, and so asked a CIA operative, Edward Hunter, to look into the case. It was he who said that the soldiers had been “brainwashed.”

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Brainwashing: How does it work?
©Shutterstock
When we think of brainwashing, we often jump to extremes, like Stockholm syndrome. However, brainwashing is more prevalent among us than we may think. Any emotional stress can bring about a sudden change in beliefs and personality. Think back to being in love, or grief, or any emotion that is intense. At that moment, you were probably more susceptible to different ideas.

Brainwashing uses moments of intense emotion to literally change the way your brain is wired. The method can be used for good as well as for bad. If you are interested in how the mind can be completely manipulated, take a look through this gallery to discover how and why people are brainwashed.