Brainwashing : the science of thought control / Kathleen Taylor.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Taylor, Kathleen E. (Kathleen Eleanor)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Brainwashing.

Brain--Localization of functions.

Brain.

Neurosciences.

Physical Description:

xii, 324 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2004.

Summary:

Throughout history, humans have attempted to influence and control the thoughts of others.

Since the word 'brainwashing' was coined in the aftermath of the Korean War, it has become part of popular culture, served as a topic for jokes, and been exploited to create sensational headlines. It has also been the subject of learned discussion from many disciplines, including history, sociology, psychology, and psychotherapy. But until now, a crucial part of the debate has been missing: that of any serious reference to the science of the human brain. Descriptions of how opinions can be changed, whether by persuasion, deceit, or force, have been almost entirely psychological.

In Brainwashing, Kathleen Taylor brings the worlds of neuroscience and social psychology together for the first time. In elegant and accessible prose, and with an abundance of anecdotes and case-studies, she examines the ethnical problems involved in carrying out the required experiments on humans, the limitations of animal models, and the frightening implications of such research. She also explores the history of thought-control and shows how it still exists all around us, from marketing and television, to politics and education.

Contents:

Part I Torture and seduction 1

1 The birth of a word 3

2 God or the group? 25

3 The power of persuasion 49

4 Hoping to heal 67

5 'I suggest, you persuade, he brainwashes' 79

6 Brainwashing and influence 95

Part II The traitor in your skull 103

7 Our ever-changing brains 105

8 Webs and new worlds 127

9 Swept away 147

10 The power of stop-and-think 167

11 That freedom thing 187

Part III Freedom and control 205

12 Victims and predators 207

13 Mind factories 219

14 Science and nightmare 233

15 Taking a stand 247.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 287-298) and index.

ISBN:

0192804960

OCLC:

56648968