Indoctrination is distinguished from teaching in that the former attempts to bring about an uncritical acceptance of beliefs. Paterson contends that there is no contradiction in the concept that adults can be indoctrinated. It is a matter of empirical study whether or not adults are actually indoctrinated. The harm with indoctrination in his view is that it narrows the breadth of vision and awareness of those being instructed (Paterson, 1979).