(EST PUB DATE) INFLUENCING HUMAN BEHAVIOR

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 01435026
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: August 7, 2017
• Case Number: F-2007-00094
• Publication Date: January 1, 1974

Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C01435026
INFLUENCING HUMAN BEHAVIOR
ACTIVITY: Factors Influencing Human Behavior
PROGRAMS: To understand and identify factors which contribute
or are believed to contribute to influencing human behavior.
The studies fall into three categories: (a) personality
factors; (b) techniques; and (c) methods to detect whether or
not the techniques have been used. The categories are inter-
action, that is, it is impossible to do studies in category (c)
without also going through procedures (b) and selection procedures
which fall in category (a).
Because the terms "influencing behavior" or "controlling
behavior" can readily be misconstrued, it is important to
define the terms and to understand the procedures that were
pursued, how and by whom. By "influence and control" is meant
increasing the probability of occurrence of an outcome at least
for predictive purposes. Techniques that have been examined
are hypnosis and sleep suggestibility: In each instance, our
projects effectively supplemented a research program that was
already on-going in the principal investigator's facility, which
was being funded by non-Agency sources and the results of which
had already been published, at least, in part in the open pro-
fessional liaterature. In short, the unofficial or at least
not-formalized policy has been ot identify acknowledged expertise
through open professional literature and supplement already on-
going research programs. None of the work has been classified,
the association with the Agency commonly was classified. Com-
pleted studies of the research have been published without acknow-
ledgment of Agency sponsorship. (W(1)
(b)(3)
Current research sponsored by ORD is examining the efficacy
of hypnosis and other techniques (biofeedback, desensitization)
as a means of nullifying the effectiveness of the polygraph as
sernrity crreenina dpvirp
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C01435026
� Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C01435026
INFLUENCING HUMAN BEHAVIOR (continued)
A great many of the Behavioral Science research projects
are dependent upon human volunteer subjects. Current practice
is to adhere strictly to the HEW guidelines concerning the use
of human subjects and all current contracts carry language to
that effect, as well as assurances that the anonymity of volunteer
subjects will be maintained. Prior to the existence of the
published HEW guidelines, the working policy followed by 40)
was to have the principal investigators adhere to the institutional
professional, and ethics criteria that were ordinarily used. In
short, research subjects being used on Agency-sponsored research
were to be treated no differently than research subjects on pro-
jects sponsored by other U.S. Government or private groups.
2
Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C01435026
r".� VT"I A I
Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C01435026
'INFLUENCING HUMAN BEHAVIOR
r----60 has supported research which has attempted to E (b)(3)
understand and identify factors which contribute or-are
believed to contribute to influencing human behavior. The
studies fall into three categories: (a) personality factors;
(b) techniques; and (c) methods to detect whether or not the
techniques have been used. The categories are interactive,
that is, it is impossible to do studies in category (c) without
also going through procedures (b) and selection procedures
which fall in category (a).
Because the terms "influencing behavior" or "controlling
behavior" can readily be misconstrued, it is important to
define the terms and to understand the procedures that were
followed in determining whether or not research would be
pursued, how and by whom. By "influence and control" is
meant increasing the probability of occurrence of an outcome
at least for predictive purposes. Techniques that have been
examined are hypnosis and sleep suggestibility. In each
instance (and with the same contractor,
ORD effectively supplemented E
a research program t at was a ready on-going in the principal
investigator's facilities, which was being funded by non-Agency
sources and had already been published, in part, in the open
professional literature. In short, the unofficial or at least
not-formalized policy withinr---70RD has been to identify
acknowledged expertise through open professional literature
and supplement already on-going research programs. None of
the work has been classified, the association with the Agency
commonly was classified. Completed studies of the research
have been published without acknowledgment of Agency sponsor-
ship.
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
(b)(3)
A gieat many of the Behavioral Science research projects
are dependent upon human volunteer subjects. Current practice
is to adhere strictly to the HEW guidelines concerning the use
of human subjects and all current contracts carry language to
that effect. as well as assurances that the validity of volunteer
subjects not be made known to the Agency. Prior to the existence
of the published HEW guidelines, the working policy followed by
was to have the principal investigators adhere to institu- (b)(3)
tional ethics and professional criteria that were ordinarily
used. In short, research subjects being used on Agency-sponsored�
research were to be treated no differently than research sub-
jects on projects sponsored by other U.S. Government or private
groups.
CONfiDL-1\ITIAL
(b)(3)
Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C01435026