Manipulation of consciousness. Why is it so simple?

Sometimes this is a complete surprise and even shocking - the way people close in worldview, close in age, education, environment, films that they watched, books they read, can interpret the same events in different ways. Based on the same sources of information, having good IQs, an open mind, they come to exactly the opposite conclusions.



Obviously, at least someone in this situation is in a state of illusion.

How is it that neither a good education, nor the availability of information, nor the developed ability to think logically protect us from conceptual errors in perception and interpretation, how is it that we do not recognize manipulation and falsehood? Controversy, observation, and reflection eventually led me to the way of thinking outlined in this article.



Here are 14 common manipulations. Analyzing my life, I can say that I felt at different times the effects of each of them, and some methods of brainwashing in relation to me were really effective. I think this is a familiar attack to everyone. I put them in a list and tried to describe the mechanisms and reasons why they, despite the triviality, are quite effective.



I do not consider elementary influences such as bribery, blackmail and intimidation. In this article, I am only interested in attacks that make us live in illusion.



At the end of the article, I will also try to answer the question of why a lie can easily deceive our intellect and, moreover, use it for our own good, why our education and the availability of information do not help us.



This is not an article on psychology or an article on philosophy, if only because this article will not contain any links.

Terminology

Because I’m trying to understand how these manipulations work, I had to introduce some concepts and consider some patterns.



AAVD = A Absolutely A Dec. B Perception of Reality

This is a hypothetical state, which is an endless approximation of adequacy. The concept is introduced for clarity of some patterns and relationships. A sufficient condition for AAVD is an absolute IML.



Absolute IML ( ILL = And information, Mysleptic abilities, Logic)



AED = A Dec.In Valuation of Validity



The picture of the world is our interpretation of reality.



A small regeneration cycle is a cycle that allows, on the one hand, to build a correct picture of the world from true facts, and on the other hand, a correct picture of the world allows you to filter out false ones, correct errors and add missing facts. Thus, self-tuning to the truth occurs.



A large regeneration cycle (a cycle of experience) is a cycle that allows, on the one hand, to predict the development of events on the basis of the true picture of the world and to take actions on the basis of this, and on the other hand, analyzing the result of these actions, to correct the picture of the world. Thus, self-tuning to the truth occurs.



False small regeneration cycle - in the case of a weak IML, a false picture of the world may begin to incorrectly filter out facts, leaving or adding false and ignoring the true ones, while this set of facts (along with erroneous data) will support this false picture of the world. In this way, the illusion is maintained.



False large regeneration cycle (false cycle of experience) - in the case of a weak IML based on a false picture of the world, an individual makes incorrect predictions and performs appropriate actions, while the result of these actions (not positive) is interpreted incorrectly (as positive), which supports this false picture of the world . In this way, the illusion is maintained.



Compensation mechanisms

The main mechanisms that give adequacy to the picture of the world and provide "self-cleaning" from errors are large and small cycles of regeneration. But a person, including because of the weakness of the IML, is forced to use certain compensatory techniques that impose a limitation on the effectiveness of these cycles. Four such mechanisms can be distinguished: generalization, emotional charge, the opinion of people around and meaning. Each of them has a “cementing” property, depriving flexibility and “preserving” our worldview.











This diagram displays the concepts introduced above in their relationship:







Now we have enough tools for analysis.

Reasons for Inadequate Perception

The reason for the decrease in the degree of adequacy is the weakness of the IML, namely:

• blocked, distorted or false information
• limited mental ability (in computer terminology - insufficient computing power)
• logical errors (in computer terminology - an error in the calculation algorithm, bugs)

All this is a field for attacks on our attitude to reality with the aim of manipulating consciousness. Let's look at each of these aspects.

Insufficient, distorted or false information

This is the most obvious reason for distortion in perception. She is quite natural. It is clear that if you do not have enough information, then it is difficult for you to get an idea of ​​the situation.



It is also one of the most common methods of manipulation. In fact, when we talk about distortion or false information, we are talking about fraud. In the case of simple deception, the picture of the world can be easily restored by providing true facts. But modern realities show that with some types of manipulation, a false picture of the world has amazing stability, and “truthful data”, even when available, often can not win in the competition for the status of truth with outright lies and fakes. This effect can be called brainwashing, and all our examples will deal with just such situations.

Manipulation 1. Othello

This is a manipulation aimed at a specific person, taking into account the specifics of his character and perception in order to discredit another person or in order to influence his attitude to a particular situation.



Let's look at the famous history of the relationship between Othello and Desdemona in terms of introduced new concepts and described patterns.

Then, using the dry language of analysis, the attitude of Othello to Desdemona was changed with the help of false information. This information was presented in such a way as to give Othello a definite view of the situation. The jealous nature gave this new picture of the world a strong negative emotional charge, which created a kind of potential minimum for such an interpretation and deprived Othello (strong negative emotion) of the ability to think logically. When a false picture of the world was formed, a false small regeneration cycle began to work, which supplanted the true facts, ceasing to take them into account. A cycle of false experience has also begun. A false goal appeared - revenge, which led his actions.

Manipulation 2. Fake news

An interesting (and unexpectedly effective) technique is the creation of a fake news cycle. Each such news, being in the wake of a certain (false) point of view, fits into the small cycle of false regeneration and “feeds” the negative emotion associated with this suggested picture of the world. And despite the fact that this news is refuted after a while, it acts as a fuel for this emotion, which in turn "cementes" the false picture. This leads to the fact that even realizing that this news was false, a person who fell under the influence of this manipulation continues to maintain this false picture of the world. Also, as already mentioned, negative emotion hits the second and third elements of the IML, narrowing the analytical ability of the individual.

Manipulation 3. Blackening

The next common simple but very effective technique is blackening.

Essentially similar to the previous two. A (false) negative image of a person is created. Information may contain a large percentage of lies. It doesn’t matter that after a while it turns out that this is a lie. The main thing is that emotion will be “glued” to this person. Further, one can “work” on this image, work through this “reality” with a sequence of fake news, which will be the “fuel” for this emotion. The difference from the Othello example is that here, along with emotion, the `` opinion of people around '' is used to give stability to the false picture of the world. For this, the media are involved.

Manipulation 4. On the blue eye

'' Lying on the blue eye '' means that the person is knowingly lying, but at the same time skillfully creates the feeling that he is telling the truth. The essence of this manipulation is that the attacker tries to win over him by his behavior and thus increase the degree of confidence in this information. In the case of using the media with good artistic skills or training, this attack on the minds is most likely successful, at least for a certain target group, which can then quickly “unite” through social networks, thereby creating a “fixation” of the world’s image in accordance with factor “opinion of people around”.

Manipulation 5. Propaganda

This is an aggressive, persistent and prolonged distortion of the picture of the world. This is a direct, massive attack on the minds. The more power is used, the more efficient it is.



In fact, a certain myth is created, and this myth is inspired by others. The emotion of fear is often used. For this, it is demonstrated that if someone actively disagrees with this picture of the world, then this person will have problems - from inconvenience to a real danger to life (intimidation). This is a favorite technique of totalitarian regimes, but it can also be a less bloodthirsty situation, for example, in the case of sects, or some companies (which sometimes resemble sects) or some groups. This attack, using fear, first hits the second and third elements of the IML of the target group (respectively, for which this is a weak link). Further, as this group grows, the factor “the opinion of people around” becomes more and more important.



In the case of sectarianism and some ideologies, this may not be fear, but “bright feelings” associated with a sense of brotherhood, meaningful existence, or it may be the result of various psychophysical techniques elevated to the category of cult. But still the dichotomy of good / evil underlying these myths always has fear as the reverse side of the coin.

Manipulation 6. The Godfather

This attack is based on a dichotomy - cruel / kind, evil towards enemies, but kind towards friends. It looks like the previous attack. Fear and myth are also used (see the next chapter) in the form of a peculiar idea of ​​good and evil (which can even be framed in the form of an ethical code). In this case, unlike the previous attack, the media are not used, and the action is limited to a narrow circle of “friends”. In principle, in many ways this is similar to the previous two cases (up to the elements of sectarianism).

Limited mental ability

All four compensatory mechanisms described earlier are the result of, among other things, the weak second element of IML, which means that any brainwashing using cementing is an attack based on the limitation of mental abilities as well. It is easy to see that all the previous examples fall into this category.



But we can distinguish a group of special manipulations, sharpened to attack this particular element.

Manipulation 7. Insult

In fact, it is a primitive form of blackening.



This is a very common type of manipulation. An insult or a name-calling is a kind of generalization, it is some kind of casket in which a certain set of negative characteristics (and, accordingly, emotions) are carefully enclosed in advance. But not only this, the instruction on what to expect from this person, about how he will behave is also enclosed. This is such a way to “erase” a personality by classifying it. Further on, you can no longer pay attention to it. If we compare the insult with the usual classification, then the difference lies in the presence of negative emotion. The stronger this emotion, the more “perception” is “cemented”.

Manipulation 8. Corruption

The essence of this manipulation is that a person is made a beneficiary of a false cycle of experience based on a false picture of the world (myth). There are two possible options.

• conscious complicity (when a person realizes the falsity of a myth)
• complicity with faith

We are considering the second option. In this case, the fact that a person is a beneficiary “cements” a false picture of the world. For example, in caste societies, higher castes sincerely consider themselves to be an elite, despise ordinary people and believe that they have a well-deserved right to violence and exploitation. They are certainly the beneficiaries of this system of relations, and their false small regeneration cycle carefully protects them from all doubts.



It is interesting to observe, and I think everyone knows about such examples as some people change their views to the exact opposite, becoming beneficiaries of a myth that was fought some time ago.

Manipulation 9. Creating a myth

We have already discussed the meaning of myth in the chapter “The Picture of the World and Its Sustainability”. Using the media, playing on already-formed emotions (for example, resentment, hatred), using authorities, can really make a myth a powerful weapon. In fact, this is a direct introduction of a false picture of the world into consciousness.



The danger lies also in the fact that these myths are often imposed in childhood and young adulthood, when we are almost defenseless against such attacks. In the future, the myth may "die", or you can independently realize the falsity of this worldview. But this worldview is not erased without a trace, its fragments, like fragments of a broken mirror, continue to live in us. Some of them harmoniously fit into the new myth that carefully selects them, some are stored in an inactive state, thus creating a “backdoor” in our consciousness.

Manipulation 10. Emphasis

The essence of this manipulation is that you emphasize events confirming the myth, attaching great importance to them and downplaying or trying not to mention, reducing weight to zero, other events that do not fit into the proposed picture of the world of the world.



Thus, even without explicitly deceiving, this attack allows you to introduce and maintain a false small regeneration cycle.



Usually, reality contains a range of events. For example, a person can sometimes be kind, sometimes aggressive, sometimes depressed. In some situations, he can look up to par, in others he can feel dumb ... This applies to almost everything. There is always a spectrum. And if the weight of the phenomena in this spectrum is incorrect, then this forms a false picture of perception.



So, for example, when it comes to discrediting a person, the public's attention is focused on those situations when a person did not look the best. This, for example, may not be the best deeds in his life or simply unsightly photographs obtained by the paparazzi.

Logical errors

To begin with, the lower the person’s IQ, the easier it is for such manipulations. A nearby person is easy to confuse. But, what was a discovery for me, people with well-developed logic and IQ are significantly above average, they are still blamed on these errors and use these manipulations themselves during disputes. Such is the strength of desire to defend its "picture of the world", such is the strength of small and large cycles of regeneration.

Manipulation 11. Direct attack

The most primitive and yet one of the most effective attacks is direct insults or even a physical attack on an opponent. This leads out of emotional balance and disrupts the process of logical thinking, which requires a certain degree of calm and comfort.

Manipulation 12. Trolling

A variation of the previous attack is trolling. This is a more sophisticated attack. Direct insults may not be. It is rather a form of bullying, but the essence and purpose remains the same - to unbalance.



The effectiveness of this attack can be enhanced by creating a group of trolls.

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13. -

Very common manipulation. It looks like a manipulation of "emphasis." The bottom line is that in the chain of cause and effect relationships, a certain moment is taken that is beneficial for the attacker and further it is considered as the original cause. All previous chain is ignored. The technique is often used in the criminal world, when the victim’s natural reaction to provocation, in an attempt to protect themselves and their dignity, is presented as the cause of the conflict, thus demoralizing the victim and suggesting to her that she is guilty and should “answer for ...”

Manipulation 14. Associative thinking

- Why did you call Marya Ivanovna?

- And Vasya did that too.

After this the question usually arises:

- And if Vasya jumped out the window, would you jump too?

This question should explain to the child that you need to be responsible for your actions yourself and not follow the herd reflex.



I can understand why this is the answer of a child with immature thinking, but why do I constantly come across similar arguments in adults, smart people?



They probably want to say something more. I can even assume that they just cut their logical chain. But please expand it. Explain to me, what does all these examples and comparisons have to do with it? The question was why you did it, and not Vasya (or why this happens HERE, and not THERE).



In reality, this is again a manipulation. Moreover, our weak points related to our past can be exploited (for example, fragments of old myths that we were sick of).

Typical misconceptions

Now let's look at a few non-trivial (such as low IQ, exposure) typical misconceptions

Confidence

An unshakable self-righteousness is likely to indicate the fixation of the picture of the world and the false small and large regeneration cycles. The bottom line is that our IML is very limited. We cannot say which information is true and which is not and whether it is complete. Our logic is not perfect, and we are subject to various influences. Our emotions can deceive us. Our friends and everyone who thinks like us also have all these shortcomings. How can we be sure that we are right? It seems reasonable to always keep in mind the option that it is not your opponent who is mistaken, but you.

Highlighting information

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We live in an ocean of information with a huge amount of false and false information. Many topics are highly charged emotionally. If your picture of the world is false and has strong “cementation”, then it is very difficult for you to distinguish true information from false.

Emotional underdevelopment

We have already discussed that the more discrete our emotional perception (in the limit is black and white), the more our “picture of the world” is subject to “cementing”, which in turn makes us vulnerable to manipulation. Therefore, a developed emotional perception is an important condition for your adequacy.

Underdeveloped sense of harmony

If you like abstract painting, then you must understand how important this feeling is when you are dealing with chaos, which consists in an infinite number of options for shapes and colors. Due to the weakness of our IML, we cannot take into account all the facts, factors, dependencies, and we are actually in the same situation of chaos and we need to choose the most “harmonious” interpretation.

Conclusion

So why so simple? Why neither good education, nor the availability of information, nor the ability to think well logically usually give us serious advantages in protecting against manipulation?



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