Liftons work is a classic and is used to identify cults and in debriefing former cult members. Todays world is a tough one, with more abstract issues than there are issues that are black and white. The book was published in hardcover format in 1989 by oxford university press, and again in hardcover in 1999 in a second edition work. The rationale for the theme is based on an absolute belief or philosophy. Cults often use behavior modification on followers, such as thought stopping techniques and instilling an usversusthem mindset, hassan said. Not all cults are destructive, the researchers said, and many of those who join and remain in cults do so out of a sincere quest for religious connection. The academic study of new religious movements is known as new religions studies nrs. On cults, cultism, and the mindset of political and religious zealotry. The psychology of alcoholism full audiobook youtube.
This process becomes pathological only if the surrogate leader is mad, as with jim jones, or when the path followed leads into a blind maze, as with scientific technology. The second edition was reprinted by oxford university press, in march 2007. Many people join cults because they believe theyre being offered solid, absolute answers for questions such as good vs. Because of the extreme belief system, a person within this setting has a conflicting and polarized reaction, and is forced to make a choice. Cults satisfy the human desire for absolute answers. Back from the edge borderline personality disorder call us. Members of a cult may be obsessed by a cult figure, or leader, who they believe speaks unrivalled wisdom. Margaret thaler singer spent most of her career studying the psychology of cults and brainwashing. The book describes eight characteristics of systems that control thought. Academic study of new religious movements wikipedia. This book, coauthored by a professor of a major evangelical seminary, wistfully looks forward to the day. Altruism attribution attitudes conformity discrimination groups interpersonal relations obedience prejudice norms perception index outline the classical meaning of cult may mean a small religious organization or community of devotees. He has helped thousands of individuals and families become free of undue influence.
Those who study cults, on the other hand, maintain that psychologists need to study how cults abuse social psychology research. The extraordinary range of methods and frameworks can be helpfully summed up regarding the classic distinction between the naturalscientific and humanscientific approaches. He was an early proponent of the techniques of psychohistory. Psychology of religion consists of the application of psychological methods and interpretive frameworks to the diverse contents of religious traditions as well as to both religious and irreligious individuals. I especially want some about the psychology behind cults and cult leaders and such, but books about individual cults would be interesting i just have a lot on my list at the moment, so maybe if suggesting books on individual cults, make them more obscure. Cult psychology a look at the mind control techniques used by cults and how to avoid them. The psychology of the cult experience new york timesmarch 15, 1982 by glenn collins.
The same story makes the headlines again and again. It isnt possible to understand the sociology of cult dynamics without at least touching on psychology, because they are fundamentally organizations that perpetrate psychological abuse. Private therapy clinic due to covid19 all of our sessions are currently being conducted via video call. Eileen barker noted that there are five sources of information on new religious movements nrms. Adrian furnham describes in psychology today, humans crave clarity. Seems like according to the definition here of cults laid out by the author,any conceivable organization of any size, from as small as an individual engaging in the practice of psychology, to a neighborhood church,and all the way up to an entire nation,qualifies as a cult. The ultimate life purpose course create your dream career. Robert jay lifton born may 16, 1926 is an american psychiatrist and author, chiefly known for his studies of the psychological causes and effects of wars and political violence, and for his theory of thought reform. The two books, parable of the sower and parable of the talents, respectively. Before delving into the wild wild category of cult books, a content warning. The psychology of alcoholism audio book george barton cutten 1874 1962 after presenting an overview of alcoholism and its affect on society, dr. As a byproduct of describing life within some more extreme cults, many of these books, especially the memoirs, go into. Ive learned that hate is a learned behavior, noble said.
The psychology of the cult experience the new york. Although it can be obvious to those around them, people in cults often dont realize what they have become a part of. Steven hassan studies mind control and cults, and is the founder of freedom of mind. Martin on various book projects, including the new cults and previous editions of the kingdom of the cults. The social control techniques of cults social cognition 2018. Learn the practical uses and defenses of manipulation, emotional influence, persuasion, deception, mind control, covert nlp, brainwashing, and other secret techniques. The psychology of cultism is but one indication of an intrinsic desire in each of us to offer veneration to the creator. The study draws from the disciplines of anthropology, psychiatry, history, psychology, sociology, religious studies, and theology. Faith, healing and coercion is a nonfiction book on cults and coercive persuasion, written by marc galanter md.
Psychologists are also needed to develop effective treatments for cult victims to help them break free from a cults influence before its too late, so that, in cases like jonestown, history does not repeat itself. Cults and the mindbody connection psychology today. All of the authoritative books on the topic are concerned wit. She is bestknown for answers to the cultist at your door, when the devil dares your kids, and satanism, as well as for her investigative work regarding contemporary satanism. A social and psychological study of a modern group that predicted the destruction of the world is a classic work of social psychology by leon festinger, henry riecken, and stanley schachter published in 1956, which studied a small ufo religion in chicago called the seekers that believed in an imminent apocalypse and its coping mechanisms after the event did not occur. A leading cult expert explains how the president uses mind control. Psychology as religion delivers a trenchant analysis of modern psychology an enterprise that author paul c. Cults of hatred american psychological association. Octavia butler s earthseed series is and isnt about cults, depending on which characters perspective you take. But, he said understanding the psychology behind mind control helped him in his eightyear battle to recover. From surviving to thriving by pete walker, controversial new religions by james r. The psychology of cultism foundation for economic education. After the 911 attacks and an unthinkable family tragedy.
Whether or not a cult is destructive is determined by the morality of the cult leader and the nature. Vitz maintains has become a religion, a secular cult or self, now part of the problem of modern life rather than part of its resolution. Point by point, hassan shows how trump and his followers meet each of the criteria that define a cult and how trumps childhood and rise to the presidency shaped his imperious, narcissistic style and why his followers, both in the voting. What is considered the most authoritative book on the. The social control techniques of cults shantelroesler blog 4 52, group dynamics, relationships, religion february 1, 2018 february 1, 2018 5 minutes heavens gate, peoples temple, children of god, branch davidians, and scientology are names that likely stir up a few memorys of the nefarious side of organized religion. This book is a fascinating tour through the ways people are recruited and retained by cults, the characteristics of cult leadership and the dimensions of undue influence. A person lacking knowledge of how cults target and recruit people and the mechanisms they use to entrap people may not be able to identify a coercion attempt when targeted. Lynne malcolm with you and on all in the mind today, the psychology of cults in a minute well meet an australian woman who emerged from ten intense years in a. An anguished family is trying to rescue its child, who has, the parents charge, been stolen by a cult, sometimes after only a single weekend of involvement. You identify a trifecta of terror, love, and brainwashing as key to cult behavior.
19 614 1627 1240 219 306 1116 1254 1153 573 1410 80 1640 475 65 973 632 4 1472 455 161 1599 1455 1454 992 858 720 1384 364 563 1199 1182 1271 79