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The Sociology of Cults

The Sociology of Cults. What IS a Cult? Group that holds beliefs that are unorthodox or really different B. Shows excessive devotion to a person, idea, or thing. C. Use unethical and manipulative methods of persuasion to advance goals of leader (s)

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The Sociology of Cults

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  1. The Sociology of Cults

  2. What IS a Cult? • Group that holds beliefs that are unorthodox or really different • B. Shows excessive devotion to a person, idea, or thing.

  3. C. Use unethical and manipulative methods of persuasion to advance goals of leader (s) * The modern study of cults began after the 1978 Jonestown tragedy.

  4. Cults typically display some or all of the following traits: • Members are excessively enthusiastic to group/leader • 2. Members are exploited by leader • 3. Members subject to physical & mental harm

  5. 4. Group led by charismatic leader who claims to have some “exclusive” knowledge/ability 5. Leader dictates how members should think, feel, act – controls relationships & families. 6. Group isolates itself from test of society 7. Members time is strictly controlled

  6. 8. Members give up money and property to group leadership. 9. Culture of “reporting” on each other – suspicion leads to “Quiet”

  7. Mind Control Methods • Deception – mislead members about purpose/goals of group • 2 Dependency – force members to become dependent on group leader for financial/emotional support. • 3 Dread – make members afraid something bad will happen if they leave the group.

  8. F. Who Joins Cults & Why? • Most cult members are relatively normal people from all walks of life (age, race, social backgrounds).

  9. 2. Cult members are often people who: • Are experiencing stress or crisis in their lives (romantic break-up, school failure, job problems, etc.,) • b) Have a strong desire to belong • c) Have a lack of self-confidence • d) Are unassertive – have trouble saying “no” or expressing doubt.

  10. e) Are gullible – don’t question what people tell them f) Must see things as b/w – need absolute answers to life’s problems g) Are fed-up with society & its problems h) Are looking for meaning to life i) Are ignorant to the ways people can manipulate others.

  11. How Are Cults Harmful/Dangerous? • Can cause severe stress and frustration for family outside the cult • Children are at high risk for abuse/neglect • People can be mentally damaged by their cult experience • Cults can carry out violent acts against themselves or society.

  12. G. Why Do People Leave Cults? • They recognize hypocrisy & corruption of group/leader • 2. They are sick of being controlled • 3. Physically & emotionally exhausted • 4. Persuaded to leave by friends/family • 5. Afraid of being harmed/family safety

  13. H. Types of Cults • Religious Cults • 2. Doomsday Cults • 3. Dangerous/Destructive Cults • 4. UFO Cults • 5. Political Cults • 6. Established Cults • 7. Commercial Cults • 8. Celebrity Cults*

  14. J. Why It’s Hard to Leave a Cult • Group members/leaders can exert pressure on people to stay • Hard to adjust to normal life again • Deprogrammers are therapists who help people adjust to normal society again.

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