Love bombing
Love bombing is an attempt to influence a person by demonstrations of attention and affection.<ref name="Richardson2004" /> Psychologists have identified love bombing as a possible part of a cycle of abuse and have warned against it. Its use by cults also been described as psychological manipulation in order to create a feeling of unity within a group against a society perceived as hostile.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In 2011, clinical psychologist Oliver James advocated love bombing in his book Love Bombing: Reset Your Child's Emotional Thermostat, as a means for parents to rectify emotional problems in their children.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The technique is also often used by romance scammers and others with nefarious intentions who seek to manipulate a victim and create a feeling of trust and connection.
Definition and analysis
The expression "love bombing" was coined by members of the Unification Church of the United States during the 1970s<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and was also used by members of the Family International (previously known as Children of God).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Psychology professor Margaret Singer reported on the concept.<ref name = Richardson2004>Template:Cite book</ref> In her 1996 book, Cults in Our Midst, she writes:
Abusive relationships
Modern social media can intensify the effect of love bombing since it gives the abuser nearly constant contact and communication with the victim.<ref name = "archer"/> One of the signs of love bombing in the start of a relationship is intense attention during a short period of time and pressure for very rapid commitment.<ref name = "BusinessInsider"/>
Psychiatrist Dale Archer identifies the phases of love bombing with the acronym IDD: "Intense Idealization, Devaluation, Discard (Repeat)", and the process of identifying this behavior pattern as SLL: "Stop, Look, and Listen", after which breaking off contact with the abuser can become more possible by also seeking support from family and friends.<ref name = "archer"/>
Another sign of love bombing is being intensely showered with affection, gifts, and promises for the future with the predator so that the victim feels or is made to believe that all this is a sign of "love at first sight". Since such signs of affection and affirmation may meet felt needs and not look harmful at the surface, the excitement of such a new relationship often does not appear as cause for alarm.<ref name="BusinessInsider"/> However, after the initial excitement, when the victim shows interest or care about anything beyond their new partner, the manipulator may show anger or passive-aggressive behavior, or accuse the victims of selfishness. If the victim does not comply with demands, the devaluation stage begins: the abuser withdraws all affection or positive reinforcement and instead punishes the victim with whatever they feel is appropriate—shouting, beratement, mind games, silent treatment, or even physical abuse.<ref name="BusinessInsider">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="Cosmopolitan">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
The expression has been used to describe the tactics used by pimps and gang members to control their victims.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Benign occurrences
Excessive attention and affection does not constitute love bombing if there is no intent or pattern of further abuse. Archer explains:
British author and psychologist Oliver James recommended love bombing as a technique for parents to help their troubled children. He described it as, "dedicating one-on-one time spoiling and lavishing your child with love, and, within reason, pandering to their every wish."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2011 Heidi Scrimgeour, a reporter for The Daily Express, tried the technique with her son and reported: