Isolation is a commonly used tactic to control people. Isolation can be defined as the process of separating an individual or group from others, either physically or socially. It is often used as a means of punishment or to exert control over individuals or groups who are perceived as a threat
Isolation is a common theme in dystopian novels. It is also a common theme in the real world. The most obvious example of isolation is when someone chooses to isolate themselves from society. This can be done for many reasons, but it usually has to do with control.
Control is an important part of isolation because it allows people to feel safe and secure in their own little world. They are able to live without fear of being judged or hurt by others because they have complete control over who they interact with and what they do.
Isolation can also be used as a way to control a person. Keeping someone away from family, friends and media controls the flow of information.
The use of isolation as a means of forcing someone to fall in love and worship is a form of psychological manipulation and abuse, often referred to as "love bombing."
This tactic involves showering the victim with:
attention
affection
gifts
while simultaneously isolating them from:
family
friends
and other sources of support
The goal is to create a sense of dependence on the abuser and to make the victim feel like they cannot live without their abuser's love and attention.
While there are certainly cases where isolation has been used in this way, it is important to note that this is not a universal phenomenon. Love bombing and other forms of psychological manipulation are generally considered to be rare occurrences, and most people who enter into relationships do so willingly and without coercion.
That being said, there are certainly cases where isolation has been used as a tool for control and abuse within relationships. For example, an abusive partner may try to isolate their victim from friends and family members in order to make it easier to control them or to hide their abuse from others. Similarly, cults have been known to use isolation as a means of indoctrinating new members and keeping them under their control.
Submission and isolation
can be related in different ways depending on the context. In some cases, submission can lead to isolation, while in other cases, isolation can lead to submission.
Submission refers to the act of yielding or surrendering to authority or control.
Isolation, on the other hand, refers to the state of being alone or separated from others.
One way that submission can lead to isolation is when an individual submits to authority without questioning it. This can result in a loss of personal autonomy and independence, which may lead to social isolation as the individual becomes increasingly dependent on the authority figure.
On the other hand, isolation can also lead to submission when an individual is cut off from social support networks and becomes vulnerable to manipulation by those in positions of power. In such cases, the individual may submit to authority out of a desire for companionship or protection.
authoritative sources
"The Psychology of Isolation" by Kendra Cherry (https://www.verywellmind.com/the-psychology-of-isolation-4163976)
- This article discusses the psychological effects of isolation and how it can impact an individual's behavior.
(PDF) The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (also known as the Mandela Rules) explicitly prohibit the use of solitary confinement beyond 15 days, stating that prolonged solitary confinement can amount to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The rules recognize that isolation can have serious and lasting negative effects on mental and physical health, and should only be used as a last resort and for the shortest possible time.
https://www.unodc.org/documents/justice-and-prison-reform/Nelson_Mandela_Rules-E-ebook.pdf
The American Psychological Association has also recognized the negative effects of isolation on mental health. In a report on the psychological effects of solitary confinement, they state that "prolonged solitary confinement is not only harmful but unnecessary and counterproductive". They note that isolation can cause anxiety, depression, hallucinations, and other psychological symptoms, and can exacerbate pre-existing mental health conditions.
Human Rights Watch has documented numerous cases of governments using isolation as a means of controlling:
journalists
political dissidents,
and other perceived threats to their authority.
They note that isolation can be used to extract false confessions or information, and can be particularly damaging for individuals who are already vulnerable due to mental illness or trauma.
Source: https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/10/18/isolation-tactics-used-control-dissidents
