"The popular idea is that brainwashing techniques can completely alter a person's opinions, while he or she is powerless to stop the conversion," he says. "But such techniques have never actually been found to exist."
How can you tell if someone is brainwashed?
If you suspect someone you know may have been brainwashed, look for these telltale signs (scoring system at the end).
- They act personally offended when someone criticizes their favorite political leader. ...
- They assume everyone in the opposing party is an idiot. ...
- They assume bad motives by those in the other party.
Is brainwashing a defense?
BRAINWASHING, COERCIVE PERSUASION, DURESS, AND MENTAL INCAPACITY ARE DISCUSSED AS A DEFENSE OF EXCULPATION OR MITIGATION OF CRIMINAL LIABILITY WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE TRIAL OF PATTY HEARST (1975).
