Group psychological abuse
Encyclopedia
Group psychological abuse refers to groups where methods of psychological abuse
are frequently or systematically used on their members. Such abuse would be practices that treat the members as objects one is free to manipulate
instead of respecting their autonomy, human rights
, identity and dignity
. In a group can also play mind games
with another person that can make the victim seem like they are accepted but in actuality they are backstabbing the person when his/her back is turned. When the victim requests assistance from the abusing group it is not given.
Psychological abuse refers to practices that, simply stated, treat a person as an object to be manipulated and used, rather than as a subject whose mind, autonomy, identity, and dignity are to be honored.
Some scholars in the wake of Robert Jay Lifton
or Margaret Singer
have associated group psychological abuse with brainwashing or mind control
and with cult
s. The concepts to have similarities and overlap in some places, but they are not identical.
William V. Chambers
, Ph.D.
received the John G. Clark Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Cultic Studies from the American Family Foundation, for his work with Michael Langone
, Ph.D.
in developing the Group Psychological Abuse Scale.
Psychological abuse
Psychological abuse, also referred to as emotional abuse or mental abuse, is a form of abuse characterized by a person subjecting or exposing another to behavior that may result in psychological trauma, including anxiety, chronic depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder...
are frequently or systematically used on their members. Such abuse would be practices that treat the members as objects one is free to manipulate
Psychological manipulation
Psychological manipulation is a type of social influence that aims to change the perception or behavior of others through underhanded, deceptive, or even abusive tactics. By advancing the interests of the manipulator, often at the other's expense, such methods could be considered exploitative,...
instead of respecting their autonomy, human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
, identity and dignity
Dignity
Dignity is a term used in moral, ethical, and political discussions to signify that a being has an innate right to respect and ethical treatment. It is an extension of the Enlightenment-era concepts of inherent, inalienable rights...
. In a group can also play mind games
Mind Games
Mind Games is John Lennon's fourth post-Beatles album, and was recorded and released in 1973. Like his previous album, the politically topical and somewhat abrasive Some Time in New York City, Mind Games was poorly received by music critics...
with another person that can make the victim seem like they are accepted but in actuality they are backstabbing the person when his/her back is turned. When the victim requests assistance from the abusing group it is not given.
Psychological abuse refers to practices that, simply stated, treat a person as an object to be manipulated and used, rather than as a subject whose mind, autonomy, identity, and dignity are to be honored.
Some scholars in the wake of Robert Jay Lifton
Robert Jay Lifton
Robert Jay Lifton is an American psychiatrist and author, chiefly known for his studies of the psychological causes and effects of war and political violence and for his theory of thought reform...
or Margaret Singer
Margaret Singer
Dr. Margaret Thaler Singer, was a clinical psychologist and a part-time Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, U.S....
have associated group psychological abuse with brainwashing or mind control
Mind control
Mind control refers to a process in which a group or individual "systematically uses unethically manipulative methods to persuade others to conform to the wishes of the manipulator, often to the detriment of the person being manipulated"...
and with cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
s. The concepts to have similarities and overlap in some places, but they are not identical.
William V. Chambers
William V. Chambers
William V. Chambers was a psychologist and statistical research consultant. He is a former psychology professor at Wright State University, Shorter College, and the University of South Florida. Chambers had served on the Editorial Advisory Board of the Cultic Studies Journal.With Michael D....
, Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
received the John G. Clark Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Cultic Studies from the American Family Foundation, for his work with Michael Langone
Michael Langone
Michael D. Langone, is an American counseling psychologist who specialises in research about "cultic groups" and alleged psychological manipulation. He is executive director of the International Cultic Studies Association, editor of the journal Cultic Studies Review.Langone is author and co-author...
, Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in developing the Group Psychological Abuse Scale.
See also
- APA taskforce on Deceptive and Indirect Techniques of Persuasion and Control
- Attack therapyAttack therapyAttack therapy is a controversial type of psychotherapy evolved from ventilation therapy. It involves highly confrontational interaction between the patient and a therapist, or between the patient and fellow patients during group therapy, in which the patient may be verbally abused, denounced, or...
- William V. ChambersWilliam V. ChambersWilliam V. Chambers was a psychologist and statistical research consultant. He is a former psychology professor at Wright State University, Shorter College, and the University of South Florida. Chambers had served on the Editorial Advisory Board of the Cultic Studies Journal.With Michael D....
, Ph.D.Ph.D.A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer... - John G. Clark Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Cultic Studies
- American Family Foundation
- Michael LangoneMichael LangoneMichael D. Langone, is an American counseling psychologist who specialises in research about "cultic groups" and alleged psychological manipulation. He is executive director of the International Cultic Studies Association, editor of the journal Cultic Studies Review.Langone is author and co-author...
, Ph.D.Ph.D.A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer... - Psychological traumaPsychological traumaPsychological trauma is a type of damage to the psyche that occurs as a result of a traumatic event...
- Group narcissism
- MobbingMobbingMobbing in the context of human beings either means bullying of an individual by a group in any context. Identified as emotional abuse in the workplace, such as "ganging up" by co-workers, subordinates or superiors, to force someone out of the workplace through rumor, innuendo, intimidation,...
External links
- "The Group Psychological Abuse Scale", William V. Chambers, Ph.D., Michael D. Langone, Ph.D., Peter Malinoski, M.A., Presented to Division 36 (Psychology of Religion) American Psychological AssociationAmerican Psychological AssociationThe American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States. It is the world's largest association of psychologists with around 154,000 members including scientists, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. The APA...
Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada, August 12, 1996