English words tend to be confusing and challenging when we see similar terms, especially if the only difference is two letters. This challenge is the matter for concepts such as “Doctrination” and “Indoctrination,” where we will develop their meaning, etymology and provide examples to understand their definitions better.
The correct spelling would be “Indoctrination,” and it means to teach or to educate an individual, while “Doctrination” might be just an unusual and non-standard form of “Indoctrination.” Although some people may use it frequently, “Doctrination” is an incorrect term.
When we are instructed to know about a culture, religion, or any particular practice, we are being educated. We can also say a massive percent of the earth’s population is influenced and taught in at least one belief or one system in their life, but how do we call it? Is it called “Doctrination” or Indoctrination?
Definition Of Indoctrination
Indoctrination means to teach the elements and principles of any science or system of belief and instructing someone to accept doctrines without any question.
It is the method of implanting a person with ideas, attitudes, cognitive strategies, or professional methodologies.
In today’s slang, the word Indoctrination has received a negative connotation, and it is often used as “brainwash” or “propaganda” when it was once used to refer to “education.”
This word was once listed as one of the most controversial terms during World War II and the Cold War due to its use among some polemical societies and organizations.
Etymology Of Indoctrination
In the 1620s, it was known as “endoctrinate,” which means “To teach.”
Some experts believe it evolved from the now obsolete verb “indoctrine,” which means “to instruct,” primarily used during the 15th Century.
How To Use The Word “Indoctrination” In A Sentence?
- “During World War II, German schools were full of racial Indoctrination and taught German kids to hate Jews.”
- “The best way to battle Indoctrination is to let our children have their point of view.”
- “Once you indoctrinate someone, it is hard to bring them back.”
- “When I was a child, I was indoctrinated with Christian’s beliefs.”
- “People were indoctrinated about being kind to everyone.”
- “Some people say the best Indoctrination is to read.”
- “The most common way to control a country is by indoctrinating the people.”
- “If we want to change, we should think about changing our ways of indoctrinating our kids.”
- “My friend was explaining his church’s indoctrination to me.”
- “Our military camp was teaching about the indoctrination of Harry S. Truman.”
Synonyms Of The Word “Indoctrination”
- Educate
- Instill
- Teach
- Convince
- Inculcate
- Influence
- Instruct
- Train
- Impregnate
- Imbue
- Implant
- Program
- Alter
- Convert
- Persuade
Antonyms Of The Word “Indoctrination”
- Unlearn
- Dissuade
- Deprogram
- Contradict
- Discourage
- Controvert
- Rehabilitate
- Oppose
- Neglect
- Repel
- Confuse
- Forget
- Learn
- Mislead
- Destroy
Definition Of Doctrination
The word “Doctrination” may be referred to as “Indoctrination,” however, it may not be a usual term or accepted by some sectors.
What Is The Difference Between Indoctrination And Education?
The word Indoctrination has suffered from having a “difficult” meaning during the 20th Century, making it “active” to distinguish it from the word “education.”
The term education refers to providing learning and asks the individual to analyze the information they are being presented to develop their point of view. In contrast, Indoctrination asks the individual to absorb its teaching without any issue.
What Is The Difference Between Indoctrination And Brainwashing?
Indoctrination and “Brainwashing” are often associated with today’s dialect, bringing an essential part of the population to believe these terms are similar. However, we have to mention that while indoctrination could force an individual to have a point of view, it is often made by a leader or an influential person. At the same time, “Brainwash” affects the individual’s mind using extreme mental pressure or any other mind-affecting process, for example, the “hypnosis.” Brainwashes were often performed by communist and dictatorial regimes when capturing an enemy soldier or civilian.
Is It Good To Indoctrinate Someone?
Indoctrinating someone means this person may have only a one-sided point of view about something, ignoring or dismissing opinions that may be right or might help this individual development in society. During World War II, the people of Germany believed Aldof Hitler and the Nazis because they were Indoctrinated about the information provided by the propaganda of Joseph Goebbels.
When Does Teaching Become Indoctrination?
Teaching becomes Indoctrination when taking the individual mind to shape it according to your own beliefs and basically to “kidnap” the person’s point of view to implant yours.
Meaning Of The Word “Doctrine”
The word “Doctrine” comes from the Latin word “Doctrina,” which means “teaching, instruction,” and is usually associated with religious beliefs and principles. “Doctrine” was first used during the 14th Century.
Religious Doctrines
We often tend to connect the word Doctrine to spiritual terms such as:
- In Christianity, the Trinity, the virgin, and atonement (the action to amend after committing an injury or a sin) are the most common Doctrines. But it is more based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the belief of him being the son of God.
- Hinduism has the Yuga doctrine, respect for elders, reverence for teachers, and tolerance of all races and religions.
- Buddhism has its way of living based on the Siddartha Gautama’s Doctrine, and it is based on not harming living beings, not taking what is not given, harmful speech, etc.
- Islam has its Doctrines revealed by the Prophet Muhammad, which stated the five pillars of Islam; declaration of faith, ritual prayer, a month of fasting during Ramadan, and pilgrimage.
- Based on its teaching by the Prophet Zarathustra, Zoroastrianism mentioned the grant of a clear, rational mind (Vohu Manah) by their creator, “Ahura Mazda.”
- Judaism is one of the most ancient religions with the belief and Doctrine in one God, the only God having all the things in his hands and having a special relationship with the Jewish people.
There are hundreds of religious Doctrines that have been part of man’s evolution through time and culture.
Non-Religious Doctrines
Doctrine is usually associated with religious beliefs, but it is good to know it also has political, legal, and military connotations, often called “Non-religious doctrines.”
Some of these “Non-Religious” doctrines are:
- Traditional psychiatrists still follow Sigmund Freud’s doctrines about psychiatry.
- Old and established legal principles are called “legal doctrine.”
- In the 1920s and ’30s, Lenin’s teachings were recognized as “The communist doctrine,” which was almost sacred by the Soviet Union.
- In 1823, the President of the United States of America, James Monroe, stated that the USA would oppose European influences on the American continent. This statement was named the “Monroe Doctrine.”
- President of the USA Harry S. Truman also had his Doctrine, the “Truman Doctrine,” which was related to America supporting free countries against enemies outside and inside.
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Military Doctrines
The Term “Doctrine” is also related to military concepts about troops, weapons, etc. it is good to mention some military doctrines. There are:
- “Guerre de course.”
- Hit-and-run tactics.
- “Mahanian Doctrine” of the late 19th up to the mid-20th Century.
- Reagan Doctrine of the Cold War.
- Shock and awe.
- Soviet deep battle of World War II.
- The trench warfare of World War I.
Almost all the military organizations have their Doctrines often written, but they also have unwritten Doctrines.
Dogma Vs Doctrine
In some religious groups, it is usual to confuse terms such as Dogma and Doctrine, these seem to have the same meaning, but they are different.
Dogmas are principles or rules that cannot be questioned by man, for example, the ten commandments, the crucifixion of Jesus, and the resurrection of Jesus. Most of the church rules are Doctrine instead of dogmas.
The experts say Dogmas are the Truths revealed by God and that all Dogmas are Doctrine, but not all Doctrine is Dogma.
Final Thoughts
Similar words such as “Doctrination” and “Indoctrination” are often confused when we miss the actual concepts and information regarding a specific topic. The human species is formed by cultural circumstances, the teaching of our parents, and our point of view. We always need to learn and educate ourselves about words and terms that some people might misunderstand.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.