In 1950, journalist Edward Hunter coined the term “brainwashing” in an article for the Miami Daily News, drawing attention to the psychological manipulation used by China’s Communist Party to control its people. His claim was based on the assertion that Mao Zedong’s regime was employing ancient techniques to transform individuals into mindless followers of the Communist ideology. At the time, the idea of “brainwashing” seemed sensational and exaggerated, but over the years, it evolved into a widely accepted concept.
As a participant in an exchange group, I was introduced to a model that appeared harmless at first but revealed disturbing elements as the experience unfolded. The organizers seemed to be promoting ideas centered around unity and cooperation, but the more I engaged, the more I realized that what they were really trying to do was manipulate opinions and actions in subtle, yet powerful ways. It felt like the process of “brainwashing” was not as foreign or extreme as it had been described, but more about biases being slowly ingrained under the guise of learning and sharing experiences.
Just as the American public in the 1950s was alarmed by confessions of U.S. prisoners of war, my own revelations were disorienting. The tactics used on these soldiers—constant repetition, control of the environment, and psychological pressure—mirrored what I experienced in the group. They didn’t use harsh methods like torture, but the psychological influence was still potent. The biases were not overt, but subtly woven into discussions and materials, shaping my understanding without me fully realizing it.
In truth, the bias was the starting point of what could be termed brainwashing. Whether it’s political ideologies, religious beliefs, or social movements, bias is often the entry point to influencing minds. It starts small—by highlighting “us vs. them” narratives or emphasizing the superiority of a particular worldview—and slowly distorts the thinking of individuals who aren’t yet aware of the manipulation. This was the initial phase I experienced in the exchange group.
The realization dawned that, just like the notion of “brainwashing” fueled fears during the Cold War, the true danger doesn’t always come from external forces—it often begins with biases that exist within us all. Bias leads to a narrowing of perspective, which in turn opens the door to manipulation. And once inside, it becomes much harder to discern the truth from the ideologies we’ve been trained to accept without question.
My experience serves as a reminder that, whether in small-scale exchanges or large-scale geopolitical struggles, brainwashing can start with the subtle shaping of biases. It’s not always about extreme tactics, but about the slow and methodical alteration of perception. The lesson, as I learned, is that awareness is the first step in breaking free from the influence of such manipulation.
