MORI 184447

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1.ClA is considering z research project on the abovs subject. A brief description of the project is attached. May I bäve an exprossion of your interest in this project and eny comments you may care to make: by the closa of business on 17 October 1956. The present estimate for expenditure against this project is

Z. Certain reseerch which hes been done in this and related fields will be brought to beer in support of the project in so far as it is pertinent.

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Ths project proposes to Investigate the social rolo, tha techniquct and the effectiveness of cocrcive persuasion. The study will analyza the methods end the effects of the "bralnwasbing" applied by Communist regimes to prisoners of war as well cs the broader role played by coercive persuasion within Communist societies The wer in Korea brought home to the United States the urgent need to understand and to combat Communist "brainwashing".If this phenomenon is to be brought into properperspective it must ba relzted. to the technigues of coercive persuasion employed by Communist regime ageinst their own populations."A study of coercive persuasion must also be related to the psychology of the individuals who submit to or resist. efforts to induce ideological change.

Plan for the study. The final product should include the following sections:

The first section should be primarily historical, contzining a chapter on the techniques of coercive persuasion employed through the ages (e.g. extraction of confessign, ideological indoctrination) and another chapter on the general role of cocrcive persuasion in Communist socicties (e.g., treatment of political prisoners, of prisoners of war, of the population s a whole.)

The second part should discuss the specific techniques adopted by the Russian and Chinese Communist leaders in dealing with their populations,with political prisoners, and with prisoners of war.

A third section might present case material illustrating the various mechanisms underlying ideological chenge or resistance thereto. Models of ideological change might be constructod through the use of case histories. Data compiled from previous interviews of Americans released from Communist imprisonment should be utilized and, if possible, a follow-up series of interviews orgenized.

The final section could'explzin some of the different points of view from which the phenomcnon of "brcinwashing" czn be examined A series of theoretical analyses should be undertaken to show how the problem would be approached from

BYCD FÉR RELLASE EIT..... 1 JUN 1978

Aftachment to ER-8-6769

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the psycholorical, the poychiatric, end the sociologicalhnthropological polnts of vlew.. There might be a chapter from fhe stendpoint of a military interrogalor. Another chapter world have to make a thorough legel analysis of the problems which confront the repatriated collaborator, the returned defector,end the ideologically convcrted individualAi chcpter dealing with fheUsprogren of educetion for prisoncrs of war would also be valuable. personnel. The Project Director will be Mr.

The writing of separate chapters will be assigned to about ten persons having spocial qualifications for certain aspects of the study. Duration. The project will be expected to continus for two yoars. The project will be dsscribed to mncleared persons aspart of over-all research program zndnoraference will be made to its sponsorship. Mir. hes an appointmeht in 9 and this project will be a logical extension of his work. sThe B provide the supervision of the project.