Skip to main content

Activity #3: Other Factors Affecting Behavior, Mentation, Attitude, etc.

1. This activity is primarily concerned with the problems of how a man can be made to think, "feel" and behave according to the wishes of other men, and, conversely, how a man can avoid being influenced in this manner. The many known processes by which this may be effected can be divided arbitrarily into two categories: (A) the cultural and social processes (e.g., customs, education, military training, parental training in childhood) which operate on men in groups as well as singly, and (B) the "special procedures" (e.g., psychotherapy, "salesmanship," deprivations, coercion, torture and hypnosis) which are directed at individuals. Both types of process are pertinent to intelligence operations, but the "social and cultural" processes are more relevant to indoctrination and motivation, while the "special procedures" are more relevant to subversion, seduction and interrogation.

2. The primary mental processes which take place in response to all of these methods of changing human behavior are probably the same. We plan to assemble, collate and review all the pertinent information relevant to this subject. This will require a broad consideration of many fields of human activity on a long term and continuing basis. As an initial effort we intend to utilize [...] chief consultant in designing this project. As basic information is assimilated by our staff, we shall design methods and techniques of indoctrination applicable to special intelligence problems.

3. Special Procedures of immediate concern for intelligence operations will be reviewed and investigated. For this purpose we need access to all Agency information relating to methods of subversion, intimidation and interrogation employed by intelligence services, including threats, coercion, imprisonment, isolation, deprivation, humiliation, torture, "brain washing," "black psychiatry," hypnosis and combinations of these with or without chemical agents. We will assemble, collate, analyze and assimilate this information and will then undertake experimental investigations designed to develop new techniques of offensive/defensive intelligence use.

4. The Field Demonstration of hypnotic effects now being implemented is an example of an experimental investigation of a "special procedure." Its design and purpose has been set forth in a specific paper. We will actively participate in all phases of this demonstration. It is designed to provide specific answers to the following questions in the light of our present knowledge and techniques of hypnosis:

(1) Can the [...] be hypnotized?

(2) What percentage of [...] are susceptible to hypnosis?

(3) How complete is post-hypnotic amnesia and its degree of permanency?

(4) What is the effectiveness of post-hypnotic suggestion and its degree of permanency?

(5) Can an individual be made to perform acts contrary to his conscious will?

(6) Can hypnotic influence be detected?

(7) What is the effectiveness of chemical agents in hypnotic procedures?

We will critically examine all data, findings and results of this Field Demonstration in order to assess the present effectiveness and deficiency of hypnotic procedures as an offensive and/or defensive intelligence weapon.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Further Reading: CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties

For readers wanting to dive into topics covered in the fascinating CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties by Tom O'Neill with Dan Piepenbring, here is a compendium of books used as sources as part of this 20-year investigative effort. It makes for a great reading list for those interested in the 1960s, FBI, CIA, the counter-culture and the history of the United States of the past century. Choose a topic (organized here by the CHAOS's chapters and each book's first appearance therein) and dive in further down the rabbit hole. CHAPTER 1: The Crime of the Century Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders   by   Vincent Bugliosi with Curt Gentry, 1974 Will You Die For Me? The Man Who Killed For Charles Manson Tells His Own Story  by Tex Watson as told to Chaplain Ray, 1978 My Life with Charles Manson   by Paul Watkins with Guillermo Soledad, 1979 CHAPTER 2: An Aura of Danger Heroes And Villains: The True Story O...
Post a Comment
Read more

CIA Domestic Activities Timeline - August 1972

1 August 1972 DDS related that Mr. [...] of the CI Staff received a call from the Secret Service requesting our training film on defensive driving. The Director interposed no objection to making this film available. 8 August 1972 Houston reported that Judge McArdle granted a motion for summary judgment in the Tofte case. 21 August 1972 Houston noted a telephone call from Howard Hunt who explained that his attorney was with him and had a question about a friend's past affiliation with the Agency. [...] DD/Sec, has reviewed the employment, and Houston reported that he replied directly to Hunt's friend, Mr. [...] that his old affiliation should create no problems in connection with his appearance before a grand jury. 22 August 1972 Thuermer reported on a call from a Mr. Crewdson of the New York Times who said he was "formally requesting" a photograph of Howard Hunt. The DDP observed that we are under no obligation to provide a photograph, and Thuermer said he had decline...
Post a Comment
Read more

CIA Domestic Activities Timeline - July 1971

1 July 1971 "Carver noted that Secretary Laird had requested that our printing plant assist in reproducing the forty-seven-volume secret Pentagon study on Vietnam for distribution to the press and others this morning. This request was aborted by the President." (DDCI in the chair) 2 July 1971 "DD/S said that in the absence of [...] attended a meeting at the White House yesterday of the interagency group which is reviewing classification and declassification policy. The President spent an hour with the group and said that he wants: ... and (6) the revocation of all clearances and the return of all classified material held at Harvard, Brookings, Rand, and Cal Tech, as well as the withdrawal of Q clearances held by the Regents of the University of California. A brief discussion followed, and the Executive Director noted that DOD has asked us to provide information on all our contracts with Rand, as well as all clearances held by Rand personnel for our purposes. Acting Direc...
Post a Comment
Read more