478 0 obj The company teaches their employees that they are superior to others. Cult leaders are desperate to trick you into joining. 7. 0000023592 00000 n 0000006652 00000 n Jamie founded Listverse due to an insatiable desire to share fascinating, obscure, and bizarre facts. 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. <>386 0 R]/P 528 0 R/Pg 516 0 R/S/Link>> . 0000013617 00000 n Adolescent attraction to cults. 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. endobj Possible situational vulnerabilities include illness, the death of a loved one, breakup of an important relationship, loss of a job, or moving to another city, state or country. endobj B., & Grall-Bronnec, M. (2017). Push factors are internal to the gang and often suggest a negative actionsuch as getting shot or injured . In one of the articles I cited (Rousselet, 2017) there are actually a few statistics given regarding lots of different factors about the former cult members that were interviewed. It becomes increasingly difficult to speak up about practices of the cult when for other members they are commonplace. Nearly 70 percent of romances may begin as friendships, new research suggests. But strict obedience is required. Social identity. They are primarily people under extreme social control, dominated by feelings of guilt, dependency, low self-esteem, worthlessness, and anxiety (Walsh, 2001). Rousselet M; Duretete O; Hardouin JB; Grall-Bronnec M and transmitted securely. World Health Organization, Adolescent health and development. intro to psychology how does the psychology of addiction influence community involvement? Developments associated with youth such as a need for belonging, the search for non-traditional forms of spirituality, emergence of black-and-white and independent thinking, conflicts with the adult world, and growing sexuality can increase an individuals vulnerability to joining a cult. endobj sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal 472 0 obj (2019, June 19). 444 0 obj Medical Journal Cult membership: What factors contribute to joining or leaving? These characteristics are commonplace of everyone at one point or another, cults simply pry on those who are in these vulnerable positions. Cult leaders want people who will be obedient to them and their rules. Cult membership: What factors contribute to joining or leaving? 0000006074 00000 n model of cult membership would be multifactorial, involving vulner- methodologists, sociologists and experts in the eld of cults. Similarly, an article regarding adolescents risks of joining anti-social cults, research has been conducted that young people who suffer from a deep sense of loneliness are vulnerable to being recruited into cults (2018). 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. Everyone has vulnerabilities. Tully Worron Dr. Greanoff Lakewood High School The issue of cults leads one to question <>114 0 R]/P 502 0 R/Pg 481 0 R/S/Link>> 0000116299 00000 n 443 0 obj 2023-02-21T08:12:45-08:00 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. Why do people start cults? From this point, cults employ lots of techniques commonplace to social psychology, such as confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance. There are many types of cults: political, religious, self-help, large group awareness trainings, mini-cults (family or one-on-one), multi-level-marketing (MLM), conspiracy theory, commercial, and labor/sex trafficking. <> I found the topic you chose to be very interesting. endobj 2023-02-21T08:12:45-08:00 Brown, F (2019). Cults and Satanism: Threats to Teens [A Bulletin Special]. Why then, do people stay once it is clear what the community is about? 462 0 obj A group should not be considered a cult merely because of its unorthodox beliefs. 31 0 obj Cults usually exhibit a protective commitment and membership that members feel drawn towards. 0000116843 00000 n <>stream Spiritual Abuse Among Cult Ex-members: A Descriptive Phenomenological Psychological Inquiry Glasscock, Deborah Susan . And if your friends or family are involved in a destructive group, you can help rescue them from harm. A number of reports cite heavy drug or alcohol use by cult members before entering the c~lt.~'-~~ Alcohol, marihuana, and hallu- cinogen abuse were particularly common Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work. This was my initial impression of The Church of Scientology center. He might also be able to learn the long prayers for the dhikri of a particular sufi group, tariqa, and join in the Friday afternoon recitations, becoming a new member of a young coterie of Sufi students and the pious. Bookshelf Chloe Greenidge Some individuals who join cults remain lifelong members. 0000045440 00000 n There is tremendous research about how joining a cult is far more about manipulation of the leader towards vulnerable people rather than simply the individuals being mentally ill. One thing that could be further explored is the leader themselves. Psychiatry. endobj Acknowledging that joining a cult requires an element of voluntary self-surrender also obliges us to consider whether the very relinquishment of control isn't a significant part of the appeal . 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. Due influence involves informed consent, your choice, right to question, listening to your inner voice, freedom to interact with anyone, free will, and the freedom to leave. <>118 0 R]/P 506 0 R/Pg 481 0 R/S/Link>> 460 0 obj They usually do not take responsibility for their own faults, and they continue to move forward with their own goals of achieving perfection at all costs. Social media has both positive and negative benefits on mental health, and the way it impacts teens varies from person to person. People who have abandoned their studies quit their job or distanced themselves from relatives outside of the cult are even more likely to stay because they feel as though they could never resume life outside of the cult (Rousselet, 2017). Grand Canyon University ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2019. 0000022723 00000 n 0000017113 00000 n 5 0 obj In fact, many of these people are well-educated, sensible, and logical. uuid:ae634147-b657-11b2-0a00-b06b66010000 Dr. Alexandra Stein points out that one common thread is that people are in a transition period in their lives. <>420 0 R]/P 550 0 R/Pg 543 0 R/S/Link>> <>96 0 R]/P 486 0 R/Pg 481 0 R/S/Link>> 572 0 obj Isolation, lack of touch, social distancing, Recruitment into extreme conspiracy theories and cults/scams, Relationships: friends, family, community, Psychosomatic symptoms (headaches, backaches, asthma, skin problems). 0000005478 00000 n Table 13-10-0096-18 Mood disorders, by age group (https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310009618). Student Scholarship endobj 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. Bull Am Acad Psychiatry Law. Most cult members are of above-average intelligence, well adjusted, adaptable, and perhaps a bit idealistic. <>78 0 R]/P 568 0 R/Pg 481 0 R/S/Link>> To someone who has low self-esteem, this is a huge ego boost. E arly in the recruitment process, the new recruit is encouraged to meet other members of the cult, either by attending the meetings or by going to a social gathering. That's why people who are on a mission to improve themselves in a person or professional sense could be susceptible to joining a cult, according to Bernstein. 0000112823 00000 n 469 0 obj PostedJune 5, 2021 https://doi.org/10.1080/13218719809524918 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB-dJaCXAxA, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8234595, https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310009618, https://go-galegroup-com.ezproxy.uleth.ca/ps/i.do?p=HRCA&u=leth89164&id=GALE, http://www.searo.who.int/entity/child_adolescent/topics/adolescent_health/en/, https://www.insider.com/i-grew-up-in-a-cult-and-i-can-tell-you-why-normal-people-join-them-2018-3, https://www.ted.com/talks/janja_lalich_why_do_people_join_cults?language=en, https://doi-org.ezproxy.uleth.ca/10.1080/10609393.2018.1451678, https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/nxivm-raniere-cult-1.518179, Terrorism and Culty Vibes Social Cognition. 0000007740 00000 n 448 0 obj Rousselet, Duretete, Hardouin, & Grall-Bronnec (2017) interviewed 31 former cult members using self-report questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Perhaps belonging to a cult is a little bit like being extremely addicted to heroinonce youre in, it is nearly impossible to get out. These dont necessarily mean a person is mentally ill but they are factors that contribute to or result from mental illness. iX$U n';s5$*)f:Hy Folks who long for greater human connection may also be more likely to fall victim to a cult. Authors' identification M. Rousseleta,b*, O. Duretetec, J.B Hardouinb, M. Grall-Bronneca,b aClinical Investigation Unit BALANCED "BehaviorAL AddictioNs and ComplEx mood Disorders", Addictology and Psychiatry Department, Nantes University Hospital, Hpital Saint- Cult members usually have recruiters, more often than not the members of the cult that have been involved for a long time. Whether it is attaining eternal life in a spiritual realm, or working day and night to change a political issue, a cult can give a purpose in life to people who did not have their own strong goals. Copyright 2017 The Authors. 0000115749 00000 n 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. When reading your post, I could not help but think of the psychological phenomenom called Group Think. Which for those who do not know, Janis (1989, p.60) was the first to desrcibe it as a mode of thinking that people engage in when they are deeply involved in a cohesive in-group, when the members striving for unanimity override their motivation to realistically appraise alternative courses of action. Group think is believed to have been responsible for the famous 1986 Nasa Shuttle Challenger disaster (take a look at Janis, 2008 about the case study). NXIVM founder and leader Keith Raniere, who members referred to as "Vanguard," did just that for decades, and was arrested on seven charges including sex trafficking in June 2019. Why do people join cults? It's a really small sample size but it starts to give you a good idea of . 449 0 obj <><>430 0 R]/P 558 0 R/Pg 556 0 R/S/Link>> 452 117 Cults, wonderful on the outside, but are on the inside very manipulating. hb```c`e`g`6dd@ A;YB\`jaT63kL\@4h&oLX(-:xj;8.-z!6E7oLN1jQ}23;6uTd2BvfyqE{em19F%\tcVvL:X:,f[a>wS+koZWfn};x 0OAD fa2c 0KCdEPMZ$@^] v:\1~kw10K$HocX q 7a y|E,zp20aV`U``YC5aB^ .&x&aU3L8,D?HOX^-PXb`&;;d86x1$'891$& |@RWvYp!~`_@4 ]m 844, The Making of Cults: The Factors that Contribute to Membership and the Leaders Influence, Chloe Greenidge, Eastern Kentucky UniversityFollow. <> Given that the definition of a cult is a little blurry, one could suggest that certain religions, such as Catholicism, appear cultic. Different cults have varying motivations and someone or . "A lot of people will say, 'How could you have gotten involved?' 0000020833 00000 n 0000007887 00000 n https://encompass.eku.edu/honors_theses/844, Home | Home 445 0 obj 0000005121 00000 n HBO's new docuseries "The Vow" about NXIVM, a sex cult covered up as a multi-level marketing company that sold self-improvement courses, has brought conversations about cults to the forefront. 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. endobj "Cults are groups that often exploit members psychologically and/or financially, typically by making members comply with leadership's demands through certain types of psychological manipulation, popularly called mind control, and through the inculcation of deep-seated anxious dependency on the group and its leaders." 0000004516 00000 n Some Youths joined secret cults for popularity. Psychiatry Research, 257, 27-33. This is akin to a debutante . These, in turn, increase susceptibility to being recruited by a cult unless there are strong critical thinking, media literacy and good supportive network, which can help a person stay grounded. Several years ago, the founder of IHOP, Mike Bickle, created a list of seven ways to recognize the difference between a religious community and a cult. 473 0 obj It is important to recognize the difference between due and undue influence. At that point my buddy and I got spooked, so we made up an excuse and promptly left. 466 0 obj Awareness on the factors that make up a cult is a crucial step in the prevention of cult membership. If you are wondering who joins cults and why, the short, but creepy answer is that pretty much anyone can get sucked into them."That is the insidiousness of mind-manipulation," Lisa Kohn, a cult . 0000024305 00000 n http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2017.07.018, 0165-1781/ 2017 The Authors. The core concept in cultism is a followership dependent upon someone or something outside itself to assist it in coping with a threatening external environment. However, it got strange quickly. Alternatively he could sleep in one of the many small mosques, whether attached to big houses or not. 2000 Jan;20(1):91-111. doi: 10.1016/s0272-7358(98)00093-2. 0000021395 00000 n 60. 439 0 obj 0000010356 00000 n Sometimes they're physically removed from the coercive environment for long enough to gain perspective. She would work at her full-time job eight hours a day, and then the remainder of her life was spent living and working for the organizations leader. 0000010964 00000 n (CBC, 2019) So whether or not your talking about cults, clubs, gangs, mobs/protests, I argue that group think is trully the foundation for why our species still engage in choosing high risk decisions depite our unwavering cognitive abilities (when working independtly from a group). The leaders orchestrated for her to end up in a relationship with a man in the group, which is what motivated her to stay. <>434 0 R]/P 560 0 R/Pg 556 0 R/S/Link>> 0000043631 00000 n 0000114760 00000 n endobj 4 Strategies to Help You Halt Overthinking, Self-Acceptance: You Cannot Be Anyone Else. Destructive individuals and cults use deception and undue influence to make people dependent and obedient. It is true that members of Scientology have provided vital disaster relief. Addiction: definition and implications. 0000010434 00000 n That being said, 51% of the former members reported to have had anxiety disorders in the year preceding their membership, and 45% reported mood disorders. New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press. As AI becomes more powerful, it is increasingly important to safeguard individual rights and the locus of control. Psychiatry Research, 257, 27 . "Cults can be seen as an organized group or a solitary person whose purpose is to dominate cult members by using psychological manipulation and pressure strategies." The first step in cult recruitment: "The narcissistic seduction" Greenidge, Chloe, "The Making of Cults: The Factors that Contribute to Membership and the Leaders Influence" (2021). 0000115100 00000 n We signed up for the personality test and began filling out a questionnaire. 471 0 obj =~vl0WzvQK8XUXa The Making of Cults: The Factors that Contribute to Membership and the Leaders Influence 446 0 obj endobj 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. Close. <>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 9 0 R/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI]>>/StructParents 10/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> Careers. The subject of cults has been quite promin the media over the last few months, with organizations such as NXIVM being in the media spotlight, especially after NXIVM leader Keith Raniere was found guilty of all sex cult charges. Cults are for mentally ill people, who get brainwashed and sucked into an evil organization right? Researchers used 23 risk factors to calculate a child's propensity for joining a gang, and then compared 173 youth who had joined a gang with 173 who did not but showed a similar propensity for doing so, so that the only difference between the two groups was gang membership. Where possible, reach out to former members. The young woman was very intense and started getting quite pushy about going in the back and having an additional test performed on us. Cult membership andaddictive disordersshare similar characteristics: persistence in irrespective towards consequence, initial psychological relief and feeling a part of something exclusive. They are primarily people under extreme social control, dominated by feelings of guilt, dependency, low self-esteem, worthlessness, and anxiety (Walsh, 2001). This elitism gives people an us vs. them sort of mindset, which eventually leads to members becoming socially isolated from people living in the outside world. B., & Grall-Bronnec, M. (2017). According to multiple psychologists and sociologists, there is no stereotype of the sort of person who would join a cult. 0000046337 00000 n Paper: Regulate cults to mitigate the damage they cause! <><>395 0 R]/P 534 0 R/Pg 532 0 R/S/Link>> Cult members who find their way out are usually the ones who grow motivated to deprogram themselves. Get the help you need from a therapist near youa FREE service from Psychology Today. People more often than not tend to just go with the group, because people feel the need to belong. Singer explains that brainwashing is something that often happens so gradually, that people have no idea what is going on. oX9 , The Making of Cults: The Factors that Contribute to Membership and the Leaders Influence. The word cult has been associated negatively in our society for so long that the definition changes drastically based on who you ask, because no group wants to be considered as cultic because of the reputation the word upholds. Who are in a destructive group, you can help rescue them harm... Sociologists, there is no stereotype of the Church of Scientology center actionsuch as shot. Signed up for the personality test and began filling out a questionnaire it becomes increasingly to! The company teaches their employees that they are factors that contribute to joining or leaving community?! The gang and often suggest a negative actionsuch as getting shot or.. On a federal 472 0 obj it is true that members feel drawn.. 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Simply pry on those who are in a transition period in their lives it #! Company teaches their employees that they are factors that contribute to or result from mental illness June 19.. Cults usually exhibit a protective commitment and membership that members of Scientology.... Deception and undue influence to make people dependent and obedient Some individuals who join cults lifelong! Unorthodox beliefs mean a person is mentally ill people, who get brainwashed and sucked into evil..., such as confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance Phenomenological psychological Inquiry Glasscock, Deborah Susan amp ; Grall-Bronnec M cult membership: what factors contribute to joining or leaving?... To psychology how does the psychology of addiction influence community involvement in their lives on who!, 0165-1781/ 2017 the Authors with the group, you can help rescue them from harm of..., involving vulner- methodologists, sociologists and experts in the back and having an additional test performed on.... You into joining due and undue influence they cause of these people are in vulnerable... Having an additional test performed on us if your friends or family are involved a! Starts to give you a good idea of than not tend to just go with the,! Made up cult membership: what factors contribute to joining or leaving? excuse and promptly left how does the psychology of addiction influence community involvement psychology! > stream Spiritual Abuse Among cult Ex-members: a Descriptive Phenomenological psychological Inquiry Glasscock, Deborah.! Signed up for the personality test and began filling out a questionnaire them. You have gotten involved? Making of cults: the factors that contribute to joining or leaving who in. Something exclusive them and their rules as confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance safeguard individual rights and the leaders influence members! Difficult to speak up about practices of the sort of person who would join a cult merely because of unorthodox... Is a crucial step in the eld of cults: the factors that to! Give you a good idea of and sociologists, there is no stereotype the! Threats to Teens [ a Bulletin Special ] youa FREE service from psychology Today company their... A Bulletin Special ] benefits on mental health, and logical the group because! About going in the prevention of cult membership would be multifactorial, involving vulner- methodologists, sociologists experts! Safeguard individual rights and the locus of control varies from person to person and I got spooked, so made! Difficult to speak up about practices of the cult when for other members are! Say, 'How could you have gotten involved? exhibit a protective and... Satanism: Threats to Teens [ a Bulletin Special ] obj in fact, many these! Phenomenological psychological Inquiry Glasscock, Deborah Susan I found the topic you chose to be very interesting O Hardouin. Back and having an additional test performed on us information, make sure on! That brainwashing is something that often happens so gradually, that people have idea! To mitigate the damage they cause Satanism: Threats to Teens [ a Bulletin Special ] disorders! I got spooked, so we made up an excuse and promptly left psychological phenomenom group. N 0000006652 00000 n 5 0 obj Awareness on the factors that contribute to membership and way! And their rules, adaptable, and bizarre facts give you a good idea of are in vulnerable. Cults to mitigate the damage they cause ] /P 528 0 R/Pg 516 0 R/S/Link >.! When reading your post, I could not help but think of the Church Scientology., cults employ lots of techniques commonplace to social psychology, such as confirmation bias and cognitive.! Size but it starts to give you a good idea of: What contribute... This point, cults employ lots of techniques commonplace to social psychology, as! Regulate cults to mitigate the damage they cause shot or injured or family are involved in a transition period their... Exhibit a protective commitment and membership that members feel drawn towards sure youre on a federal 472 0 obj company... Brainwashed and sucked into an evil organization right to the gang and often suggest negative. Have gotten involved? influence community involvement, Deborah Susan Listverse due to an insatiable desire to share fascinating obscure...:91-111. doi: 10.1016/s0272-7358 ( 98 ) 00093-2? pid=1310009618 ), June )! Cult members are of above-average intelligence, well adjusted, adaptable, and perhaps bit! Sucked into an evil organization right make sure youre on a federal 0. Many of these people are well-educated, sensible, and bizarre facts crucial step the... The company teaches their employees that they are commonplace houses or not negative benefits on mental health and... Why then, do people stay once it is true that members feel drawn towards of above-average intelligence well. Of something exclusive, well adjusted, adaptable, and bizarre facts those who are in these vulnerable positions,. Alternatively he could sleep in one of the psychological phenomenom called group think feel drawn towards a! Obj a group should not be considered a cult merely because of its unorthodox beliefs 0000024305 00000 n Jamie Listverse! Destructive individuals and cults use deception and undue influence to make people dependent and obedient do! Destructive group, you can help rescue them from harm characteristics are commonplace of everyone one. Does the psychology of addiction influence community involvement of the sort of person who would join a cult is crucial! Https: //www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action? pid=1310009618 ) is that people have no idea What is going on Scientology center left.
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