Possession and Mind Control

Pilot study

This study is about two concepts which do not seem to be related at first sight: The religiously motivated concept of possession of human beings by evil ghosts or demons and the secular concept of mind control of individuals. However, the pilot study based on an analysis of literature - showed that both concepts share one very emotional basic belief: the assumption that complete external control by a (human or nonhuman actor) is not only possible, but also "at least in individual cases" really takes place. Furthermore, out of a historical perspective both concepts are linked through discourse and organization, namely by the rise of modern psychology.

Conclusion of the final report of the pilot study: We propose a discourse-analysis which investigates common and individual characteristics of the discourses of possession and mind control on five levels: (1) the conceptions and their phenomenal manifestations, (2) their social proliferation and appraisal including the means employed, (3) the actors involved in the discourse, (4) the stylistic and rhetorical forms of presentation and (5) the practices of discourse.

It has not yet been decided at which time and in which form the main project will be realized.