In a study of the Chinese POW indoctrination program, the sociologist Edgar Schein reconstructed the techniques by which Chinese interrogators coaxed their American prisoners into collaboration.
This happened in the course of the Korean War.
This happened in the course of the Korean War.
During their interrogations, they would start by asking them to say seemingly innocuous phrases like:
"Everything is not perfect in the United States".
But this kind of statement was an open door to go much further.
"Everything is not perfect in the United States".
But this kind of statement was an open door to go much further.
"So you say that everything is not perfect in the US, that is your opinion. It's interesting, detail what is not perfect in the US. Develop your idea, it's your opinion after all. You just tell us what you think doesn't work in your country."
Gradually, the prisoner found himself writing a true anti-American essay.
Then the prisoners would be forced to publicly read what they had written.
The recording of the reading was then broadcast on Chinese propaganda programs.
The interrogators could go even further.
Then the prisoners would be forced to publicly read what they had written.
The recording of the reading was then broadcast on Chinese propaganda programs.
The interrogators could go even further.
"Do you realize what you are doing? You have publicly disowned your country. They will consider you a traitor and a deserter. Yet, you only said what you thought. Is this American freedom?
It's courageous to speak the truth, and we like courage and truth...Maybe we can save you and work together."
The whole process started with a harmless phrase:
"Not everything is perfect in the US."
The whole process started with a harmless phrase:
"Not everything is perfect in the US."
But nothing is innocuous when you're dealing with someone who knows the secrets of human psychology.
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