What is a Cult?
What is a Cult?
"A cult is a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or
dedication to some person, idea, or thing and employing unethically manipulative
techniques of persuasion and control (e.g., isolation from former friends and family,
debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful
group pressures, information management, suspension of individuality or critical judgment,
promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of leaving it, etc.) designed to
advance the goals of the group’s leaders to the actual or possible detriment of
members, their families, or the community." (West & Langone, 1986)
What Are Some Characteristics of a Cult?
- Authoritarian in their power structure
- Totalitarian in their control of the behavior of their members
- Pyramidal structure
- Uses thought reform techniques
- Isolation of members (physical and/or psychological isolation) from society
- Uses deception in recruiting and/or fund raising
- Promotes dependence of the members on the group
- Totalitarian in their world view
- Uses mind altering techniques (chanting, meditation, hypnosis and various forms of
repetitive actions) to stop normal critical thinking
- Appear exclusive and innovative
- Charismatic or messianic leader who is self-appointed and has a special mission in life
- Controls the flow of information
- Instills a fear of leaving the group.
Article:
What messages
are behind today's cults? by Philip Zimbardo, Ph. D. from May APA
Monitor.
©Copyright
by Carol Giambalvo, June 1995 except where noted
Carol Giambalvo
P.O. Box 2180
Flagler Beach,
FL 32136
Phone:
386-439-7541 Fax: 386-439-7537
carol2180@aol.com
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