#i found out today that steven hassan -- the creator of this model -- apparently

[mordcore]

so i looked at the bite model for cults wrt school and i wanted to share my results:

behavior control:

Regulate individual’s physical reality

Control types of clothing and hairstyles (if there is a dress code. not always applicable.)

Regulate diet – food and drink, hunger and/or fasting (strict eating times and not enough time to eat properly)

Manipulation and deprivation of sleep (teenagers notoriously are night owls and school always starts really early)

Restrict leisure, entertainment, vacation time

Major time spent with group indoctrination and rituals and/or self indoctrination including the Internet (indoctrination just means teaching)

Rewards and punishments used to modify behaviors, both positive and negative

Impose rigid rules and regulations

Instill dependency and obedience

information control:

they actually encourage research (generally) so 0

thought control:

Require members to internalize the group’s doctrine as truth

Labeling alternative belief systems as illegitimate, evil, or not useful

emotion control:

Manipulate and narrow the range of feelings – some emotions and/or needs are deemed as evil, wrong or selfish

Make the person feel that problems are always their own fault, never the leader’s or the group’s fault

Promote feelings of guilt or unworthiness, such as:

- b. You are not living up to your potential

- f. Your thoughts, feelings, actions are irrelevant or selfish

Instill fear, such as fear of:

- b. The outside world d. Losing one’s salvation (salvation = education, success under capitalism)

- e. Leaving or being shunned by the group

- f. Other’s disapproval

Phobia indoctrination: inculcating irrational fears about leaving the group or questioning the leader’s authority

- a. No happiness or fulfillment possible outside of the group

- b. Terrible consequences if you leave: hell, demon possession, incurable diseases, accidents, suicide, insanity, 10,000 reincarnations, etc. (being unemployed or a failure or a worthless member of society)

- d. Never a legitimate reason to leave; those who leave are weak, undisciplined, unspiritual, worldly, brainwashed by family or counselor, or seduced by money, sex, or rock and roll (the government literally won't let you leave in some countries)