The article mentions that it is clear that JW minds have been hypnotized. When asked questions of doctrine and shown clear proof from scriptures that conflict with their understanding, their mind goes to familiar scripures or sayings.
Example given was, point out the context of the scriptures about blood and the witness mind uses the mantra, "ABSTAIN FROM BLOOD."
Commercial marketers used some of the hypnotic methods, and proved the four-step process of conscious hypnosis.
1. Design unique descriptive names called "triggering phrases" that the unconscious mind can easily associate with the product being marketed. (Example: "JEHOVAH" and "JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES" and an entire [theocratic] language unique to them.)
2. Establish an atmosphere of competition that conditions people to "think" they are winners, when they actually don't win anything at all. (Examples: Nintendo promotes a competition of saving the most [video] characters or finishing first. Watchtower promotes an atmosphere of competition in saving the most souls, or winning "everlasting life.")
3. Create an image that appears envious to others and that also appears to accompany a high self-esteem. (Example: Watchtower promotes admiration of those who collect the most newcomers to the congregation or who live more in harmony with the ideal lifestyle- in lifestories, interviews, promotion to M.S. and elder, giving the title "pioneer")
4. Lay claim to having a unique product or service that no other company has. (Example: Watchtower claims to be the only religion that can offer salvation, all others will be destroyed.)
This article also says that standard hypnotic methods which are used to remove phobias are used to instill fears in JWs. Fears of destruction at Armegeddon, fear of God, fear of Satan, fear of a bunch of "worldly" stuff.