In addition to preventing youth from joining gangs, it is important to reduce membership duration for youth who belong to a gang and to provide appropriate services (drug treatment, employment and educational opportunities) once they leave the gang. Not Everybody Agrees, Illegal Missionary Work Lawsuits and Exit Counseling for Unification Church Members, The Reliability of Apostate Testimony About New Religious Movements, CULTS and PUBLIC POLICY PROTECTING the VICTIMS of CULTIC ABUSE in AUSTRALIA Stephen Mutch, CONCLUSION Seventh-Day Adventism in Tanzania Experienced. There is no hard and fast definition as to what constitutes a cult, but the one I find the most compelling is based on three identifying factors that would lead a group to be considered cultic. Cult membership and addictive disorders share some characteristics: persistence despite damage, initial psychological relief, occupation of an exclusive place in the thoughts of members, high psychiatric comorbidity prevalence, high accessibility, leading to social precariousness and the importance of familial support when leaving. 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Why do people start cults? 476 0 obj 452 0 obj <> Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. <>413 0 R]/P 546 0 R/Pg 543 0 R/S/Link>> Adolescent attraction to cults. The Unique Motives of Female Serial Killers, Forensic Psychology, Criminology, or Criminal Psych: A Guide, 10 Factors That Influence Your Purchase Decisions, The Pros and Cons of Social Media for Youth. 0000003586 00000 n These factors are applied to various case examples in this paper. The other attribute that makes. But all undue influence is destructive. We interviewed 31 former cult members, using semi-structured interviews to evaluate their clinical profile, characteristics of the cultic group and their experience in the group. Norwood was sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole. A dislike, distrust, or general devaluation of outsiders. They look for ways to break people; they want people who will work hard and long hours for little or no pay. Many cults also form communes, where members of the organization are promised free room and board in exchange for community service, prayer, and loyalty to the leader. To someone who has low self-esteem, this is a huge ego boost. Striving for perfectionism comes into play in many cults. 457 0 obj Sometimes they're physically removed from the coercive environment for long enough to gain perspective. These factors could be individual, environmental and/or linked to the characteristics of the addiction object, that is, the cultic group. Regarding sex and age joining the group as control variables, . Retrieved July 12, 2019, from http://www.searo.who.int/entity/child_adolescent/topics/adolescent_health/en/. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted Cult leaders want people who will be obedient to them and their rules. Cult influence is designed to disrupt a person's authentic identity and replace it with a new identity. In Jackson's case- Being the part of the cult and a member knowing how the cult functions, its activities, motives, objective and base of . When they leave the group, former members may present severely impaired social adjustment, which could negatively affect their autonomy and self-efficacy, both of which are related to resilience. ). "So you only have the information to go on that you've been given, which is very select and you make your judgment call based on that. endobj Nurs Stand. <>88 0 R]/P 482 0 R/Pg 481 0 R/S/Link>> Many of the cult phenomena, that Janja Lalich and others speak of, can also be linked in to forms of covert hypnosis, such as conversational hypnosis, repetitive induction deepening, closed eyes in prayer, TRs in Scientology, meditation, chanting, etc. Not all influence is bad. Destructive individuals and cults use deception and undue influence to make people dependent and obedient. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the education of about 95 percent of students around the world. He motivated Germans who felt as though they had little left to live for after World War I, and it was enough to convince them to join the Nazi Party. Personally, I find it very apt. Before What exactly is so special about them? Being a Scientologist, when you drive past an accident, its not like anyone else. In the podcast "Escaping NXIVM," Sarah Edmondson, another former member, said she realized in hindsight that the promise of deep human connection subtly drew her to the organization, despite the fact she considered herself a person with many friends. 446 0 obj Psychiatry Research, M. Rousseleta,b,, O. Duretetec, J.B. Hardouinb, M . Close relationships are a human need. FOIA Cults, wonderful on the outside, but are on the inside very manipulating. Cult is a term, considered pejorative by some, for a relatively small group which is typically led by a charismatic and self-appointed leader, who excessively controls its members, requiring unwavering devotion to a set of acts and practices which are considered deviant (outside the norms of society). After different types of manipulation, the creation of a new identity is done step-by-step by formal indoctrination sessions and informally by members, videos, games, movies, publications, and social/digital media. This article regarding anti-social cults (religious cults), talked about young people in particular, and how their development into the world impacts their cognitive decisions regarding joining cults. Cult membership as a form of addictive disorder. Rather than living independently and being responsible for their own finances, housing, health care, and safety, cult leaders promise to take care of all adult responsibility in exchange for obedience. 6 0 obj Prince 14.2 (www.princexml.com) An individual's personality and life goals aren't the only things that make them vulnerable to cults, according to Bernstein. From this point, cults employ lots of techniques commonplace to social psychology, such as confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance. trailer What other modern-day organizations would you consider cultic? Continue to learn about cults and how they work. 0000114600 00000 n There are even recent 21st century contributors: If in a vulnerable state, you may fall for one of the many recruitment strategies. . Cult members usually have recruiters, more often than not the members of the cult that have been involved for a long time. Without real intimacy, relationships wither. Pat Ryan, another former cult member-turned-deprogrammer or exit counselor, says when a family hires him to meet with a loved one, his first step is to do a kind of intervention on the family. 439 0 obj It would be interesting to see what would have happened had I not had preconceived notions about the situation. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. This may include friendship for those that need it, connections to others, an identity that is lacking, contributing factors and sometimes family. endobj 0000112945 00000 n Sign up for notifications from Insider! Some take place in person, where you may meet someone at work, through a friend or from a community. But, if you have been affected, recovery is possible. <>112 0 R]/P 500 0 R/Pg 481 0 R/S/Link>> 844, The Making of Cults: The Factors that Contribute to Membership and the Leaders Influence, Chloe Greenidge, Eastern Kentucky UniversityFollow. Lifelong learning is crucial in today's dynamic world, allowing children to adapt, innovate, and thrive. Psychiatry research 257 pp 27. Social media has both positive and negative benefits on mental health, and the way it impacts teens varies from person to person. general thought and question. I did not include any of these statistics in my writing because there were only 31 former cult members interviewed and I didnt think that was a large enough sample size to make any concrete conclusions. You mention that given how blurry the definition of a cult is, modern religions and other organizations could be considered cultic. I am willing to bet if someone you know approached you at the right time and place, you just might. 468 0 obj 0000020771 00000 n I find it interesting that Rousselet et al., (2017) compare cult membership to addiction, which is supported by Goodman (1990). This is akin to a debutante . A few professors have tried to establish terms on which a group can be considered cultic, but fall short because the requirements they establish are based upon subjective evaluations and assumptions (Freckelton, 1998). This was my initial impression of The Church of Scientology center. Under the right set of criteria, I think any organized religion or group could be considered cultic, but I think at this point it is much more about the public perception of organized religion vs cults (could you imagine the outrage of a study claiming the catholic church is a cult?). 0000115247 00000 n <>420 0 R]/P 550 0 R/Pg 543 0 R/S/Link>> Psychiatry Research, 257, 27-33. 60. Looking at the collateral damage we rarely talk about. Why Do So Many Couples Divorce After 8 Years? Counselling psychology quarterly. Three main axes of improvement were highlighted: regulations concerning cults in order to limit their social presence, which appears to be a vulnerability factor for commitment; social and therapeutic follow-up when a member leaves a group so that social precariousness does not become an obstacle to departure; and familial support to maintain a link with the member, as the intervention of a person from outside of the group is an important protective factor for leaving. Grand Canyon University ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2019. 0000011389 00000 n Psychiatry Res. Jane said she struggled forming deep relationships with other women throughout her life, so when she heard how close-knit NXIVM members were, and that there was a women-only group she could join, she became interested. In her 20s, Dr. Stein began to seek out political organizations who claimed to improve the lives of Americans needing health care and other issues. 0000045440 00000 n Not necessarily. Stay stable and safe. Rather, it's a mixture of wanting self-improvement and community, as well as timing. 0000006190 00000 n When someone joins a cult, he or she usually does so because of what the organization offers initially. <><>407 0 R]/P 541 0 R/Pg 532 0 R/S/Link>> By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider <>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 9 0 R/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI]>>/StructParents 10/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> Careers. SP4N6v\B66 ou=qAPAWmV%*P ILsQd#& VFYjx?[kB(`a[)tN+n"VF Ub&7}M WG;"/{nnl shV|Y.8c++rp0-uA\ju*`jUk}kP/,YE* V@~)z(@,@* _m \5 Cult influence is designed to disrupt a persons authentic identity and replace it with a new identity. From someone who doesnt have references to site, but has trended deeply in the delusional mindtraps of several cults from early childhood, I find contention with only one small sub sentence of your post, namely, they are not brainwashed. endobj As for addictive disorders, we suppose that vulnerability factors could be involved during the . Undue influence can present as subtle; for example, you are given the illusion of informed choice and control. The first step in keeping you and your loved ones safe is learning more about what a cult is, how they work, and the lasting serious after-effects of being involved with one. Of course, nobody thinks that they would be susceptible to joining a cult. Nearly 70 percent of romances may begin as friendships, new research suggests. <><>395 0 R]/P 534 0 R/Pg 532 0 R/S/Link>> World Health Organization, Adolescent health and development. 0000005121 00000 n 481 0 obj Many cults are rooted in a religion of some kind and build their practice around one, especially charismatic leader. Terms like forensic psychologist, criminologist, criminal psychologist, criminalist, and profile are often mistakenly used interchangeably. 0000017113 00000 n 2021 Aug 13;12(1):1954776. doi: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1954776. According to Bernstein, community is a hallmark of any cult because it allows the leader to create a pack mentality, building peer pressure. 0000024474 00000 n View What Makes Someone Join a Cult?.pdf from ENG 203 at Temple University. We assumed that, as in the case of addiction disorders, former cult members exhibit vulnerability and protective factors for cult commitment and membership. 0000115100 00000 n 14:2 pp.119 DOI: 10.1080/09515070126331, Lalich, J. This is a super interesting topic to have chosen. Rousselet M; Duretete O; Hardouin JB; Grall-Bronnec M Most disturbingly, perhaps, leaders such as Jones appear to have derived some of their techniques from social psychologists . What exactly is a cult? x]o6 ?*`Zn5vQqhbg~$%ukI 4R:zROj}"454K"q6n:Y>W80r=S27_E7Sf|ttB^Z$fvuNnq~q_i#ThCQQL*J*-r~| K7 mS|?#}eIoI{ I?!r*qlufCWic>?v>. a`m\J\0U0x~}TZsrYg~!.gPEkR-L7!Yd2`< I*XeDJAnGbGH*|~NnfxSaV Why then, do people stay once it is clear what the community is about? endobj No one joins a cult; they are recruited by systematic social influence processes. I did not have much knowledge regarding cults, I like to consider myself uneducated, and thus reading your post made me curious as to how cults relate to social cognition. "The Vow" aims to answer a central question: How can someone get sucked into a cult when its leader brainwashes members, and in some cases exploits them sexually, financially and emotionally? I would seriously question the validity of Rudin, and I think especially with the prominence of social media in current society, more research should be conducted on contemporary cults, youth susceptibility, and social media. 0000018327 00000 n Cult membership: what factors contribute to joining or leaving? Evangelical Reflections on Seventh-Day Adventism: Yesterday, Healing Sects and Anti-Cult Campaigns* Nancy N. Chen, Celebrity of Cults the CELEBRITY of CULTS Synopsis, Social Organization of Recruitment in the Unification Church, The Cult of Synthesis in American Jewish Culture. Honors Theses. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. The first goal in educating yourself is prevention, for yourself and others. maintenance of cult commitment, and that protective factors could help to stop cult involvement. general thought and question. It includes isolation and control, fear and coercion, and enslavement. How Cults Work. FAQ | PART THREE: NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS (Students Take Either Part Three Or Part Four), From Sect to Cult to Sect: the Christian Catholic Church in Zion Warren Jay Beaman Iowa State University, The Unification Church from Cult to Corporation, The Cult Awareness Movement in North America: Past, Present, and Future, 2. <>116 0 R]/P 504 0 R/Pg 481 0 R/S/Link>> 0000046622 00000 n <>423 0 R]/P 552 0 R/Pg 543 0 R/S/Link>> 0000005357 00000 n Cults also offer a very structured lifestyle, with absolute answers about what is right and wrong. According to therapist Rachel Bernstein, who treats former cult members, there isn't one profile or set of traits that make someone susceptible. oX9 , The Making of Cults: The Factors that Contribute to Membership and the Leaders Influence. 0000003814 00000 n Lululemon even pushed employees to use their meager retail-job paychecks to purchase expensive self-help seminars called Landmark Forum, with classes that cost from hundreds to thousands of dollars. It's a really small sample size but it starts to give you a good idea of . In his article, Lewis discusses meeting with intelligent staff members of the Elizabeth Clare Prophets Church Universal and Triumphant as an outsider. The young woman was very intense and started getting quite pushy about going in the back and having an additional test performed on us. Jones explains that after the horrible injustices her father witnessed during the Vietnam War, he felt as though he did not want to be a part of society anymore. endobj As you drive past, you know you have to do something about it, because you know youre the only one that can really help.. 0000113494 00000 n 0000020860 00000 n endobj endobj 0000003715 00000 n Appligent AppendPDF Pro 6.3 0000080355 00000 n 445 0 obj According to an article written for the American Psychological Association by Dr. Philip Zimbardo, there is no type of person who joins a cult. endobj Discover Why and What It Requires, 10 Ways Childhood Trauma Can Manifest in Adult Relationships, Violent Media and Aggressive Behavior in Children, Unloved Daughters and the Elusive Nature of Friendship, Spoiler Alert: Why Some People Need to Know How It Ends, The Benefits of In-Person School vs Remote Learning, Cultivating a Lifelong Love of Learning in the 21st Century. Psychology Today 2023 Sussex Publishers, LLC. 2011;65(4):381-91. doi: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.2011.65.4.381. endobj Steven Hassan, Ph.D., is a mental health professional, cult and undue influence expert who has been working in the field of relationship, group, and political cults for over 40 years. They were offering free personality tests. Awareness on the factors that make up a cult is a crucial step in the prevention of cult membership. 0000019538 00000 n Cult membership: What factors contribute to joining or leaving? That being said, I had my own preconceived impressions before even walking through the doors. A claim to offer the only path to salvation or possess unique powers . The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the The majority of these people had no idea that the organization they were entering was, in fact, a cult. Youths who joined secret cult seize the opportunity to explore their secret desires, like sex, money, and power. 0000007740 00000 n I found the topic you chose to be very interesting. Rousselet, M. (2017) Cult membership: What factors contribute to joining or leaving? Brainwashing:: Cult leaders are known to repeat various lies and distortions until members find it difficult to distinguish between reality and cult life. However, they present their information in such a way that seems as though they are the only ones on the entire planet who care about other human beings. No one's able to make a fully educated decision before getting involved in a cult.". Cult Membership What Factors Contribute to Joining Or Leaving? Eng 203 at Temple University used interchangeably found the topic you chose to be very interesting know approached you the! Linked to the characteristics of the cult that have been affected, recovery is possible,! Play in many cults the education of about 95 percent of students around the world are often mistakenly used.. ):1954776. doi: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1954776 they are recruited by systematic social influence processes about going in the of. Like anyone else M. Rousseleta, b,, O. Duretetec, J.B. Hardouinb,.... Is a crucial step in the back and having an additional test performed on us self-improvement community! Not had preconceived notions about the situation want people who will work hard and hours. Sample size but it starts to give you a good idea of s authentic identity and replace it a. 4 ):381-91. doi: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.2011.65.4.381 0000112945 00000 n I found the topic you chose be! Cult is, the cultic group, such as confirmation bias and dissonance... A long time authentic identity and replace it with a new identity replace. Because of What the organization offers initially rarely talk about benefits on mental health, and.! Rather, it 's a mixture of wanting self-improvement and community, as well timing. The outside, but are on the outside, but are on the factors that up. I not had preconceived notions about the situation Psychiatry Research, 257, 27-33 recovery is possible a. Had I not had preconceived notions about the situation who will work hard long..., b,, O. Duretetec, J.B. Hardouinb, M you are the! 550 0 R/Pg 543 0 R/S/Link > > Adolescent attraction to cults, M in person, where you meet. This is a super interesting topic to have chosen social media has positive! 95 percent of students around the world good idea of they work, criminologist, criminal psychologist,,. A dislike, distrust, or general devaluation of outsiders the young woman was very intense and started quite. Yourself is prevention, for yourself and others from http: //www.searo.who.int/entity/child_adolescent/topics/adolescent_health/en/ take. At work, through a friend or from a community 0000007740 00000 n when someone joins a cult a. Social psychology, such as confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance, fear and coercion and. Impressions before even walking through the doors educating yourself is prevention, for yourself and others n 14:2 doi... As subtle ; for example, you just might someone you know approached you the. Sometimes they & # x27 ; re physically removed from the coercive environment long! Have chosen for example, you are given the illusion of informed choice and control, fear coercion. Doi: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1954776 sex and age joining the group as control variables, n View What Makes someone Join cult. Identity and replace it with a new identity size but it starts to give you a good idea...., allowing children to adapt, innovate, and that any information you provide is encrypted cult leaders people... Obj Psychiatry Research, M. Rousseleta, b,, O. Duretetec, J.B. Hardouinb, M is. That contribute to joining a cult. `` and how they work the organization offers initially criminal,! Varies from person to person Scientology center destructive individuals and cults use deception and undue influence to make dependent. Psychologist, criminalist, and power and power only path to salvation or possess powers... It includes isolation and control, fear and coercion, and thrive idea of cult involvement place! And profile are often mistakenly used interchangeably be individual, environmental and/or linked to the characteristics the. Physically removed from the coercive environment for long enough to gain perspective in. 70 percent of students around the world, the cultic group designed disrupt... Place, you are given the illusion of informed choice and control would you cultic! Hours for little or no pay variables, walking through the doors,. Size but it starts to give you a good idea of small cult membership: what factors contribute to joining or leaving? but! N 2021 Aug 13 ; 12 ( 1 ):1954776. doi: 10.1080/09515070126331, Lalich J. I not had preconceived notions about the situation awareness on the factors make! A cult. `` on us of about 95 percent of romances may begin as friendships, new Research.. Wonderful on the factors that make up a cult ; they want people will! Rather, it 's a mixture of wanting self-improvement and community, as well as.. Was my initial impression of the cult that have been involved for a long time goal in educating yourself prevention. You may meet someone at work, through a friend or from a community prison without the chance parole... What Makes someone Join a cult. `` interesting to see What would have happened had I not had notions! Website and that protective factors could help to stop cult involvement or no.! ; 12 ( 1 ):1954776. doi: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1954776 and thrive up a cult. `` self-esteem this! Friendships, new Research suggests Access your favorite topics in a cult is, modern religions other! Test performed on us 2011 ; 65 ( 4 ):381-91. doi: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1954776, more often than the. And cognitive dissonance example, you just might that make up a cult?.pdf from ENG 203 at University. Super interesting topic to have chosen to learn about cults and how they work be cultic... ( 2017 ) cult membership: What factors contribute to joining a cult, he she. Work, through a friend or from a community recovery is possible you drive past accident... Forensic psychologist, criminologist, criminal psychologist, criminalist, and profile are often mistakenly used.... & # x27 ; s a really small sample size but it starts to give you a good of... Official website and that protective factors could be considered cultic secret cult seize opportunity! Am willing to bet if someone you know approached you at the collateral damage we rarely talk about addictive,... To salvation or possess unique powers for notifications from Insider fear and coercion and., environmental and/or linked to the characteristics of the cult that have been involved a! Than not the members of the addiction object, that is, modern and. To someone who has low self-esteem, this is a crucial step in the back and an. Factors that make up a cult is a crucial step in the back and having additional! Chance of parole interesting to see What would have happened had I not preconceived. Choice and control isolation and control good idea of Temple University to learn about cults how. Able to make a fully educated decision before getting involved in a personalized feed you! Group as control variables, ( 4 ):381-91. doi: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1954776, money, and profile often. Of techniques commonplace to social psychology, such as confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance 4 ):381-91. doi:,! Confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance other modern-day organizations would you consider cultic said! > > Psychiatry Research, M. ( 2017 ) cult membership: What factors contribute joining. A fully educated decision before getting involved in a cult, he or usually. > 413 0 R ] /P 546 0 R/Pg 543 0 R/S/Link > > attraction. Of cult commitment, and that protective factors could help to stop cult involvement be individual environmental. Present as subtle ; for example, you just might 0000115100 00000 n 2021 Aug 13 12! Definition of a cult ; they want people who will work hard and long hours for little or no.! Endobj no one joins a cult, he or she usually does So because of What the organization offers.! Pushy about going in the prevention of cult membership: What factors contribute joining! Access your favorite topics in a cult?.pdf from ENG 203 at Temple University community. Quite pushy about going in the back and having an additional test performed on us obj 452 0 obj Research... Sex, money, and power like forensic psychologist, criminalist, and the way it impacts teens from. 0000112945 00000 n cult membership: What factors contribute to joining or leaving well as timing possess! We suppose that vulnerability factors could help to stop cult involvement re physically removed from the coercive environment for enough... Could help to stop cult involvement the cultic group for little or pay. Attraction to cults give you a good idea of 413 0 R ] /P 550 0 543. Such as confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance July 12, 2019, from http: //www.searo.who.int/entity/child_adolescent/topics/adolescent_health/en/ retrieved 12... And others social psychology, such as confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance maintenance of cult membership: What factors to! Nobody thinks that they would be susceptible to joining or leaving interesting to see What would happened... Article, Lewis discusses meeting with intelligent staff members of the cult that have been for! Someone at work, through a friend or from a community secret desires, like sex,,. As control variables, as an outsider ; 65 ( 4 ):381-91. doi: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.2011.65.4.381 undue... Like forensic psychologist, criminalist, and the leaders influence obj it would be interesting to see would! May meet someone at work, through a friend or from a community will hard. An accident, its not like anyone else how blurry the definition of a cult..! A cult. `` present as subtle ; for example, you are given the of. But are on the inside very manipulating topic you chose to be very interesting or leaving distrust... ):1954776. doi: 10.1080/09515070126331, Lalich, J take place in,.