Situation - That person is gullible - gives a 'brainwashable' vibe.

When I see gullible behaviour, or people offering to be brainwashed or already there,
Oxor™ shouts out for Ivan the Gullible™.
Protect your mind and do not let mass media wash your brain.

This section is for advanced users in the cohort.

Some find this page very offensive; that in itself is a measure.

The adjective gullible means "easily duped or cheated". - Merriam Webster Dictionary

Here are signs that you have been brainwashed by your church or cult or by being an Amway Distributor:
† 1. Debate or difference of opinion is discouraged.
† 2. Conformity is encouraged as a virtue.
† 3. Dissenters are fixed or dismissed.
† 4. Outsiders are stereotyped as being negative as people who do not agree.
† 5. A culture of disregard for complex discussions.
† 6. Self-censorship is a form of self-defence.
† 7. Consensus is assumed.
† 8. New ideas or the status quo are met with anger.
† 9. Followers continually embrace a broken community.

Here are signs that you have been brainwashed by advertising and the media:
† 1. Subliminal messages. The audience does not know what has happened until they have formed an opinion out of nowhere. When the media uses subliminal influence, it is usually not too severe. Most subliminal messages come in the form of flashing images or repetitive words. Although many of these subliminal messages are short-lived, and mildly effective, some long-termed messages can completely transform decision-making strategies. e.g. Amazon logo with subliminal smile.
† 2. Pushing recognition. Ads on television and other media thrive on simple logo recognition. It is part of the initial marketing strategy. It is also a form of brainwashing that is very effective. e.g. If the brand logo is red and the color red is shown throughout a commercial, it becomes a constant reminder. It is subtle but causes the brain to retain logo and brand name memories. e.g. Nike swoosh.
† 3. Fake news. This is probably one of the most widespread ways of manipulating the public through mass media. And this does not always mean blatant false news. Sometimes fake news will include both untrue statements woven with facts to make the news believable. Over time, the basic idea of the story becomes completely false. Fake news is so common that the audience is used to believing things simply because it has been reported in a false manner for years. e.g. COVID-19 vaccines cause variants. The truth is that COVID-19 vaccines do not create or cause variants of the virus that causes COVID-19. Instead, COVID-19 vaccines can help prevent new variants from emerging.
† 4. Emotional conditioning. This is to infect the emotions of the audience. Feelings will drive a person to purchase products or believe statements when paired with something that makes them “warm and fuzzy” inside. The nostalgia of certain commercials can also make companies feel more trustworthy. The cohort know that the Feelers fall for this and so do the ad agencies. [Persuader, Appraiser, Promoter, Counselor, Specialist, Investigator, Agent, Practitioner.] e.g. A warm and nurturing teacher makes students feel connected. Students associate going to school with the teacher. Therefore, students learn to enjoy going to school.
. † 5. Social isolation. This is to is isolate the audience from those who think differently. They are brainwashed into thinking that they should NOT associate with anyone who has views that vary, even slightly, from their own. This is in the (un)social media, which is not exactly “news”. Rather, it is primarily political statements or opinions paired with stuff such as holiday images. e.g. Twitter contributing to political polarization by creating “echo chambers” that insulate people from opposing views about current events in the Clinton vs. Trump battle.
† 6. Memory recollection. Usually the audience ignores insurance ads or popular social media banners. However, when the services of these brands are required, the audience tends to remember the most common jingle or logo. If someone is hungry, it is possible that they recall a song associated with a local restaurant chain and then chooses to pick up a snack from that establishment. What stands out the most in downtime is what gets first attention when something is needed. e.g. This works with almost any company.
† 7. Personal agendas. This brainwashing is done by simply serving up a personal agenda. This nods back to politics, as most media sources lean toward one political party or the other. Some media strive to be independent but it is more common to see the most prevalent opposers vying for attention. Thus, the audience are often manipulated by what others want personally. This is why it is so important to think for ourselves despite the compelling news we get daily. Debate or difference of opinion is discouraged. e.g. Any politician.
† 8. Propaganda. If you tell a lie and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. And the bigger the lie the better. e.g. Goebbels in WWII. Technique still in use today. e.g. Bunnings are not necessarily the cheapest all the time; most consumers will not do a lot of running around if in a hurry.
† 9. Speed. Quick, the offer is only valid today for something you had no intention of buying. e.g. Dominoes.

You will most likely need assistance if you are here by accident :-) This might tell you what but it will not tell you how.

The percent of how religious each pattern is varies enormously within the research material. The Practionrer is the non leader and therefore is a follower, so They take the first spot thanks to Ivan the Gullible™.

Here are all the sixteen patterns.

Conducted and composed by Modern Maven Elizabeth Hunter™ - Last Update January 27, 2024

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