Dr. Erica Brozovsky explained how cult leaders use provocatively loaded language with followers to create adversary us vs. them mentalities.

I’m hoping it’s obvious why this is related to politics . . .

Dr. Erica Brozovsky, PhD of the PBS series Otherwords explained how cult leaders use provocatively loaded language with their followers to create an adversarial relationship with the “other side” of their way of thinking – an “us versus them” mentality. It also keeps them invested, obedient, and ready to defend their way of thinking to anyone who questions them

Loaded language is a general term for words or phrases that have deep emotional associations for the listener, like genocide, patriot, toxic, or vermin. …Through repetition, these leaders ingrained an intense emotional association in their follower’s psyche …They shut down argument and critical thinking, which is why they’re so handy to authoritarians who don’t like to be questioned.

  • NegativeNull@lemmy.world
    12·
    5 months ago

    Reminds me of a joke:

    In a cult, there’s a guy at the top that knows it’s a scam. In a religion, that guy is dead.

    • IninewCrow@lemmy.caEnglish
      3·
      5 months ago

      Reminds me of The Office

      I’ve been involved in a number of cults both as a leader and a follower. You have more fun as a follower but you make more money as a leader.

      Creed Bratton

      … and I love the fact that with Creed Bratton quotes … they could be made up fiction or based on actual real life experience.

    • Crashumbc@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      5 months ago

      I think it is more like the Dread Pirate Roberts, the original guy is dead but the next in line just uses the name.