Isolation

24 Jul

In situations where the desire is to normalize extremes, isolation is a common tactic. Where one context might highlight a behavior or ideology as outlandish, another context can be designed to make extremes appear typical. Isolation prevents outside ideas from conflicting with ideology, which allows for extremism to grow unchecked. Isolation can be achieved abstractly or physically, and often includes behavior and language modification to re-enforce separation from groups or norms. To maintain separation, fear tactics are common, and the more isolation a group can achieve, the more power that group has over its members. Additionally, prolonged separation makes it challenging for members to reintegrate into norms, which often leads to individuals remaining in the isolated state–furthering extremism in a cycle that is difficult to break.

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