Is the following indicator absent, present, or unknown in the case study?
Indicator 14: Changes in Thinking and Emotion Distal Characteristic.
Thoughts and their expression become more strident, simplistic, and absolute. Argument ceases and preaching begins. Persuasion yields to imposition of one’s beliefs on others. No critical analysis of theory or opinion, and the mantra, “don’t think, just believe,” is adopted. Emotions typically move from anger and argument to contempt and disdain for others’ beliefs to disgust for the outgroup and a willingness to homicidally aggress against them. Violence is cloaked in self-righteousness and the pretense of superior belief. Humor is lost. Engagement with others in virtual and/or terrestrial reality may greatly diminish or cease once the subject has moved into operational space.


