Freedom of Mind Resource Center: Mid-Year Update 2018

Steven Hassan speaking at 2018 ICSA conference

July 12, 2018,

2018 ICSA Annual Conference

Last week, I was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and gave a talk on the Freedom of Mind Approach to helping people raised in cults and dysfunctional families at the 2018 annual ICSA conference. The theme of the conference was “The global challenge of young people born, raised or recruited into extremist groups, abusive religious organizations, or coercive/exploitative relationships.” 

Next year, July 2019,  there will be another conference. They alternate locations, having one in the U.S. and the next in another country. This coming international conference will be at the University of Salford, U.K. I plan to present a paper on my BITE model and its application in fighting terrorism, trafficking and other forms of undue influence. I intend to present the findings of my research in the near future.

Scientific Research Studies

I did the first of two research studies, for my doctoral dissertation for Fielding Graduate University, in conjunction with my external supervising professor Dr. Michael Commons and Freedom from Undue Influence. The study was conducted completely online and anonymously. The first study aimed to better understand the behavioral aspects of undue influence. My hope is to develop a scientifically valid instrument that will be useful in showing key factors for determining an undue influence environment. This will help forensic experts better inform judges and juries in the legal systems worldwide.  Once there is a scientifically valid standard structure, it will help guide policymakers, educators, mental health care providers and benefit citizens around the world.

In a little more than one week, my first study on influence had 1028 respondents. My supervisor for the research informed me that we had enough raw data to do the study and so we closed it and began analyzing the results. We would like to express our gratitude to all who supported the effort.  In the near future, I hope to publish the results in a scholarly journal. I plan to publically share the data, as well.

Secondly, last week, I released a second, shorter study on ethics, law, and punishment and undue influence. This study is currently open and I welcome additional participants to take it.

30th Edition of Combating Cult Mind Control

November 18, 2018 will mark the 40th anniversary of the Jonestown tragedy and the 30th anniversary of the release of my book, “Combating Cult Mind Control.”  I am currently preparing a special 30th edition of the book with an updated introduction.  More details will follow as the book becomes available later this year.

Combating Cult Mind Control Audiobook

I am excited to announce the audiobook version of Combating Cult Mind Control (30th edition) is currently in production and will be released by the end of the summer.  It will be available for purchase on Audible, Itunes, and Amazon.

Vlog

Media Interviews and Podcasts

2018 has been a busy year for me and this includes interviews, articles and podcasts that I have been a part of. Here is a list in case you missed any:

2018 Blog Posts

In case you missed any of my weekly blogs on timely and important subject matter, here is an exhaustive list: