Page "Mind control" Paragraph 22

James Richardson observes that if the NRMs had access to powerful brainwashing techniques, one would expect that NRMs would have high growth rates, yet in fact most have not had notable success in recruitment.

Most adherents participate for only a short time, and the success in retaining members is limited.

For this and other reasons, sociologists of religion including David Bromley and Anson Shupe consider the idea that " cults " are brainwashing American youth to be " implausible.

" However, on May 11, 1987, the APA's Board of Social and Ethical Responsibility for Psychology ( BSERP ) rejected the DIMPAC report because the report " lacks the scientific rigor and evenhanded critical approach necessary for APA imprimatur ", and concluded that " after much consideration, BSERP does not believe that we have sufficient information available to guide us in taking a position on this issue.

" This leaves the APA's position on brainwashing as equivalent to: more research is needed until a definitive scientific verdict can be given.