Desperate gratitude (Brainwashing)

Just as the individual is reaching breaking point he is shown unexpected kindness and leniency, while at the same time he is encouraged to confess and avoid further hardship. He is thus motivated to cooperate with his reform which is seen as the only escape from total self-annihilation.

A stage reached in thought reform, a system of organized, deliberate and total psychological training which effects individual change through two basic elements – confession (renouncing of past beliefs and attitudes) and re-education (remaking of the individual in the required image).