Description of the Behavioural Structure of the Training - Day 2

DAY TWO, EVENT THREE:

Three of 3 "behavior" subjects (100%) described a dyadic exercise referred to as the "parent posture" exercise. Participant A acts like his or her father and mother; then they switch, and Participant B acts. Participants are instructed to get in touch with their feelings, even exaggerate. They are encouraged to notice what they held back from their parents, how they stopped being "real" with them and with the world. The resulting subject matter is quite sensitive and emotional. This is the first of a series of exercises dealing with the participants' parents. These exercises are successively regressive. They encourage the participant to confuse the past with the present, to relive intense emotions and conflicts. As the exercises progress the regression becomes increasingly more infantalizing and falsely gratifying, since the exercises become increasingly intense and graphic. As a result, subjects reported a great many emotional sounds in the training room. Participants begin crying out loud, moaning, screaming. At times the din becomes overwhelming. One "experience" subject reported becoming so upset she vomited. Bags are provided for this purpose by the staff).

In this first parent exercise. participants are encouraged to let their feelings "bubble up"; they must look at how they resist, because what they resist they are "stuck'' with. They are cold repeatedly that the training is a "safe place." If participants have a difficult time remembering or feeling, they are told they are resisting. They will be asked "What is in the way of 'surrendering' to the process?," or "How does this particular resistance get in the way of your everyday life?."

[COMMENT: Once again, psychological resistance is considered to be identical with behavioral resistance to the training. Psychological resistance is considered to be a manifestation of the participants' basic flaws, which cause the major problems in their lives. Therefore, the psychological resistance (symbolized by resistance to the training) must be eradicated so participants can be set free.]

One of 3 "behavior" subjects (33%) reported that the trainer chose someone to be "processed." This meant he worked intensively with a participant in front of the entire group. Three of 3 "behavior" subjects (100%) reported that at some point in the training this happened at least once. Fifteen of 15 "experience" subjects (100%) concurred. This processing did not usually focus on the content the participant was attempting to confront (e.g., the participant's relationship with his or her father, a decision they have to make, etc.). Instead, the trainer usually reframes the problem as an inability to "let go," to trust the group, to "surrender" to the training. Therefore, the trainer works to get the participant to emote, to have a seeming cathartic experience by getting the participant to take a risk, often a physical risk like falling into the arms of several other participants. The lights go down low, special "trust" music is played on the sound system, the participants cradle and rock the participant and the trainer touches and massages the participant, murmering softly to him or her. As the participant sobs, everyone gathers around, encouraging the participant. Fifteen of 15 "experience" subjects (100%) reported that some participants cry and they themselves were deeply touched by these emotional displays.

Three of 3 "behavior" subjects (100%) and 15 of 15 to experience" subjects (100%) reported incidents that indicate that the behavioral modeling accomplished at these dramatic moments is quite significant.

[COMMENT: The psychological merging with the participant in question produces a vicarious thrill and emotional release that is evidently quite powerful. Also, participants who have been protective and sceptical are usually quite shaken by this demonstration. They question their emotionally removed behavior, they see the euphoria felt by the participants, perhaps they long to be taken care of and attended to in the same way. Usually a raw, emotional demonstration like this appeared to "prove" the effectiveness of the training and the competence of the trainer. It answers the questions of the sceptical and assures the fearful.]

Ten of 15 "experience" subjects (67%) reported feeling very jealous of the participant who is getting all the attention. One "experience" subject reported thinking "What's wrong with me that I can't loosen up like that? I'm not doing it right["

[COMMENT: Subjects who criticize themselves by comparing themselves to others appeared to put more and more pressure on themselves in an attempt to force a catharsis, boost their self-esteem, and catch the attention of the trainer.]