Closed indoctrination environments transform recruits by severing outside contact

Evidence

Rare events are the product of an idiosyncratic constellation of influences, some of which may occur fortuitously. Once initiated on a path to terrorism, individuals undergo intensive socialization into the role of terrorist. … This transformative socialization is usually carried out in a closed environment that becomes the recruits’ pervasive new reality, with new kinships, strongly held group beliefs and values, all-encompassing codes of conduct, few vestiges of individuality, and substantial rewarding and coercive power—all with the purpose of completely transforming recruits’ personal lives (Bandura, 1982). Those in charge further enhance the power of communal influence by curtailing recruits’ personal contacts and exposure to countervailing influences outside the group. Immersion in heavily prescribed activities that leave the recruits with little time to think or to explore other milieus has similar encapsulating effects. Regardless of the particular constellation of influences that shape the path to terrorism, every terrorist faces the moral problem of having to kill innocent people. Skill in disengagement of morality also requires intensive training to be able to inflict pain and suffering with equanimity (Haritos-Fatouros, 2003). — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 2127 (#exemplifies, via linked claim)

Secondly, there are the consequences of increased contact for the establishment of a framework within which individuals will have the belief that there is greater certainty as to the intent behind any communi- ~ cation, and, therefore, less likelihood of their being misunderstood or exploited. This framework will centre on the mutual beliefs of the interactants, and the role of this in communication has been stressed by Individuals, Interpersonal Relations, Trust 45 many authors.’ — Diego Gambetta, Trust - Making and Breaking Cooperative…, 703 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Child Evangelism Fellowship deliberately exploits child psychological vulnerability to recruit converts — Katherine Stewart, The Power Worshippers: Inside the…, 988; Increased contact builds mutual belief frameworks that reduce miscommunication and exploitation — Diego Gambetta, Trust - Making and Breaking Cooperative…, 703; Terrorist identity is built through closed-environment transformative socialization — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement: How People Do Harm…, 2127 (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Terrorist identity is built through closed-environment transformative socialization #exemplifies (0.92) — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 2127
• Increased contact builds mutual belief frameworks that reduce miscommunication and exploitation #complicates (0.73) — Diego Gambetta, Trust - Making and Breaking Cooperative…, 703