Research Tool

BITE Model Self-Assessment

Evaluate your religious experience against Steven Hassan's framework for identifying high-control groups.

🔒 Behavior Control
📵 Information Control
🧠 Thought Control
💔 Emotional Control

About This Tool

The BITE Model was developed by cult exit counselor and mental health professional Steven Hassan, described in his book Combating Cult Mind Control (1988, updated 2015 and 2020). It identifies four domains through which high-control groups exercise undue influence over members: Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotional control.

This self-assessment contains 42 statements drawn from Hassan's model. For each one, you'll indicate how closely it matches your experience — from Never to Always. No religion is named. You're simply describing what you've experienced.

After you complete the assessment, you'll see a score for each domain and an overall result. You can then choose to see how specific practices documented in Watchtower publications correspond to each indicator you scored high on.

Important: This is an educational self-assessment tool, not a clinical diagnosis. Scoring high does not constitute a medical or psychological evaluation — it means your experience aligns with patterns that academic researchers associate with undue influence. If you are experiencing distress related to a high-control group, please consider speaking with a mental health professional experienced in religious trauma.
Source: Hassan, S. (1988, 2015, 2020). Combating Cult Mind Control. JW-specific mappings informed by Hassan's The BITE Model and Jehovah's Witnesses (freedomofmind.com, 2018) and JWFacts BITE Model documentation (jwfacts.com).