Attorney Faith Jones, Ex-Children of God Member, on “I Own Me”

The legal system has long operated under the incorrect assumption that humans are rational agents. Judges and juries base their decisions on effective storytelling. Arbiters of law often use the belief that individuals act with autonomy and personal control. However, this perspective overlooks the powerful effects of systematic social influence processes. In my dissertation, The BITE Model of Authoritarian Control: Undue Influence, Thought Reform, Brainwashing, Mind Control, Trafficking, and the Law, I make the case that our justice system urgently needs to be updated to incorporate research on neuroscience as well the psychology of undue influence.

I was delighted to have the opportunity to interview attorney and ex-cult member Faith Jones who has developed an innovative model for applying the law to the concept of undue influence. Her approach complements my work in this field and contributes to driving a much-needed transformation within the legal system.