The BITE Model

Developed by Steven Hassan, the BITE model identifies the methods of Mind Control used by high-control groups.

Behavior Control

Regulating where you go, who you talk to, and how you spend your time/money.

Information Control

Discouraging "outsider" information or critical research about the leader.

Thought Control

Using "Thought-Stopping" techniques (repetitive chanting or cliches) to bypass logic.

Emotional Control

Using guilt and fear (fear of losing salvation or being "out of God's will") to maintain order.

Application

The Suburban Pharisee rarely uses all of these at extreme levels, but they use them "just enough" to keep the high-capacity volunteers from looking too closely at the gaps in the leader's logic.