Glossary of Undue Influence
Groups that exert undue influence over their members use a number of manipulative techniques to keep their members bound to the organization. The following techniques and concepts are some of the most frequently encountered means of psychological control. These techniques have been referred to as thought reform, brainwashing or cult indoctrination. While most organizations use some of these methods in a mild manner, unethical controlling groups use a high number of them in a strong manner.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIPULATIONS THAT KEEP YOU BOUND TO CONTROLLING GROUPS
Love Bombing
Friendliness, flattery, praise, and affection are used to entice participation and attendance for potential recruits, and to retain members who may be showing less enthusiasm or are thinking of leaving.
Destabilizing the Self
Barriers are torn down that would otherwise prevent acceptance of new beliefs. Includes those who have already been destabilized by life situations and the indoctrination of children, who have not yet formed a sense of self. 
Deception
Lies, omissions, and “front” activities cover up flaws or unusual aspects of the group, doctrine, leadership, and history. Some deceptions will be revealed later when a member is “ready.” 
Sacred Science
(Closed system of Logic) – The ideology and leader have the one and only truth. Members should only seek answers in group teachings. Doctrinal logic is airtight. The leaders are above criticism and those who question or criticize are immoral. 
Mystical Manipulation
Forces exist which are more powerful than the self. The group strives to fulfill a higher purpose. Ends justify the means. Events and experiences are orchestrated, manipulated, or reframed to appear supernatural and prove the leader is chosen and the doctrines are true. 
Milieu Control
Information and environment are tightly controlled. Gossip, questioning, and criticism is tightly regulated, as is access to outside information, especially that which might raise doubts or be critical of the group. 
Demand for Purity
(Perpetual Inadequacy)— Lofty moral goals are set. At first the goals seem achievable, but the standards for achievement grow ever more impossible to meet, keeping the follower perpetually inadequate. 
Dispensation of Existence
The individual’s literal or figurative existence is threatened as a consequence for impurity, doubt, or leaving the group. Life, the eternal soul, self-esteem, a sense of “being good”, and one’s identity hangs in the balance. 
Doctrine Over Self
The individual is subordinate to the group, leader, and teachings. When personal desires, goals, and values conflict with group values, they become selfish or immoral. 
Loading the Language
Existing words are loaded with new meaning. New words are added. Other words are banned or dropped from usage. This affects ability to think, as well as ability to communicate comfortably with those outside the group. 
Totalist Reframing
Situations, thoughts, or feelings are reinterpreted in a way that suits the goals of the organization. This is used to continually prove the ideology correct, to squelch doubts, and to silence outsiders. 
Thought Terminating Cliches
Short phrases, pat answers, metaphors, and emotional reactions are pre-established to frame doubts. Doubt and questions are automatically shut down. 
Social Pressure
Social acceptance and rejection are used to reward and punish. A member becomes driven with a desire to conform. 
Belief Follows Behavior
Action generates the associated beliefs. Groups may encourage members to follow group teachings in order to gain belief. Focus on proselytizing and missionary work is to promote belief in the member as well as the investigator.
Public Commitment
Commitments are expressed aloud. Public statements reinforce belief and dedication to the group. 
Creating Dependency
A member comes to depend on the group for physical, emotional, social, spiritual, or other needs. The member has a high stake in continuing to stay loyal to the group. 
Black and White Thinking
Broad spectrums of thought and morality become reduced to two options: Good vs. Evil, Love vs. Hate, Weak vs. Strong. Humble vs. Proud. 
Elitism
The members of the group are chosen people, exalted, righteous. Members are made to feel special when compared to outsiders. 
Us-vs-Them Thinking
This is a form of black-and-white thinking wherein outsiders, ex-members, and those critical of the group are dehumanized and labeled as evil, apostate, vicious, hateful, prideful, blinded, deceived, etc. A persecution complex may exist whereby reasonable criticism is reframed as an attack. 
Indirect Directives
Certain restrictions or demands on behavior are implied rather than express. The logical elements for a given conclusion are supplied, leaving the member to draw the conclusion herself. Leadership remains innocent of issuing any unseemly teachings. 
Identification and Example
Those who behave correctly or incorrectly are used as examples. Suggested behavior can be inferred from these stories without direct commandment. Stories are told, which may be reframed or blatantly untrue, to demonstrate consequences. The human mind relates strongly to stories, and it also inspires social pressure. 
Emotion Over Intellect
Emotion is emphasized as the preferred decision-making tool. The value of using reason is downplayed. Doctrines are frequently taught in emotional contexts, such as through stories told in tearful or gentle tones. 
Induced Phobias
Fears are instilled which are either imaginary, based on real or exaggerated consequences, or on artificial effects created from group pressures. 
Dissociative States
Trance Induction & Dissociative States—Critical thinking skills are reduced through regular encouragement of receptive mental states. Altered states can be mild and seem normal, and include concentration, fatigue, boredom, and hunger. 
Time Control
The member has little time or energy to question beliefs, associate with outsiders, or examine life too closely. Time spent on group-related activities is strongly encouraged or enforced, and usually fills every spare moment. 
Double-Bind
The member is “damned if you do, damned if you don’t.” She must betray the group or betray her own integrity. 
Blame Reversal
The leadership, group, and doctrine are above reproach, so any failed promises and bad situations are always the fault of the member. 
These concepts and descriptions are derived from “Recovering Agency” by Luna Lindsey. Visit her website at recoveringagency.com
I like the icons and summaries, great art work!
OMG, that is SO Jehovah’s Witnesses!