As others mentioned, there are a number of books on this subject... It is very well researched and by the turn of the 20th century many, many organizations where putting these techniques into practice... On a simpler level, even Tony Robbins practices a number of the techniques spelt out in the research.
Another social (and sometimes socially accepted) form of these techniques is called seduction. Reading the book "The Art of Seduction" was very enlightening with regards to how another individual (or organization) can form "emotional" bonds by pacing your needs; spinning subtle webs of deception; "Retractions" and subtly worded statements ("conscious" Freudian slips); and a whole host of planned spontaneity (sp?)... then, after they have an emotional tie (trust), they begin leading you... unless the trust is severly broken, you can lead virtually anywhere...
Did you ever read one thing in the Watchtower, and think it said one thing but then heard it explained slightly different, either by an elder or even 2 paragraphs later ? That type of stuff plays havoc on the mind -- and I believe possibly more so with "intelligent" minds that like to rationalize and understand... It hurts to not understand... so, you begin to adjust your view of life so that it all makes sense....
I am rambling tonight... but I don't really wonder too much about this anymore... It has been developed throughout the years by the elitist of the elite; such as Cleopatra and Don Juan types... they were just people that appeared to be saviors to those that followed... and follow to death they would... Recent history has begun documenting these lives and why they had the affect on others that they had... and even the US government has been testing and researching these theories for years... MK-Ultra and Phoenix are scary to read about. Reading this literature helped put my childhood into a different perspective...
If I walk into the middle of the street and get hit by a car, it's my fault... I'm to blame... but the car had to exist for the event to occur. However, in the same vein, if the same thing happened to a child, you can blame the child all you want, but that doesn't change the fact that someone much older, wiser and supposedly caring, trusting, and nourishing failed THEIR responsibilities by either allowing the event to occur or failing to show unconditional love, which includes teaching for the sake of the child not the for the sake of the parent...
wow... Im on a roll... gnite all.
One Ugly Time ... make that Nine Ugly Times...