Brainwashing is the effort to convince someone to give up their basic social, political, and religious beliefs, usually without the subject being aware of what is happening and accept a conflicting belief system and have unlimited power over them for any period of time using physical violence and/or psychological distress. In this critical essay I will discuss how this process works by providing a detailed description of the works of Singer, Robert Lifton, and Edgar Schein with a critique and how new religious movements produce a new identity for their recruits. With this it is also necessary to know what positive effects joining a new religious movement can have on a person. The Six Conditions of the Singer: Don't let the new recruit know that they are forced to change their personality, behavior or beliefs. Make each change so subtle that they won't even notice it's happening. - Have control over the subject's physical environment and time. All free time must be spent with the cult in a controlled environment. - Let the subject think he is helpless by depriving him of all support systems and income, making him unable to function on his own, causing internal confusion in having to depend on you. - Create a manipulative environment, punishing old behaviors by claiming that they are bad and evil and should be eliminated. - Establish a reward system for learning and doing what is acceptable to the group and accepting the group's beliefs and ideologies. If the person does not comply, they will be threatened with expulsion from the group. - Create a closed logical system, prohibiting criticism, complaints or doubts. "The individual is always wrong and the system is always right." Robert Lifton's Eight Themes: Controlling the M... Middle of the Paper... has been around for the last 60 years or so, and not everyone is aware of its power. Although he has no magical powers, he can make someone give up everything they know and love. Resources Furnham, A. A Sideways View. Why do people join together and even seem to thrive in cult-like groups? (February 24, 2014). URL: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sideways-view/201402/why-do-people-join-cults Date accessed: 03/23/2014 Lalich, J. & Langone, M.D. Characteristics Associated with Cult Groups .Steyn, HC The “cult” controversy: a reader. Compiled for the Department of Religious and Arabic Studies, UNISA.Richardson, J.T. A critique of "brainwashing" claims about new religious movements. p.160 UNISA pressRobbins, T. Building Cultists. Mind control. P167 UNISA pressSinger, MT The process of brainwashing, psychological coercion and thought reform. p147 UNISA press