Psychologist Michael Langone developed the following list of shared characteristics in the cult involvement of individuals. A high-demand group is one in which the overwhelming majority of members act in ways that, if done by an individual in isolation, would arouse concern over their mental health, morality, or ability to understand the nature and possible consequences of their actions. This is regardless of the member’s social status or intelligence.
Though the specifics of cult behavior and practices vary across different groups, cults are defined by their methods of coercive psychological manipulation and exploitation of their members. Social, psychological, and spiritual influences employed by cults all serve to diminish an individual’s freedom of choice and action outside the cult and ultimately work to sever social and psychological attachments that do not serve the cult. This definition is admittedly broad, but there are several characteristics, or a pattern of learning and behavior, which can be found in various degrees in most cultic groups.
Signs of Cult Involvement
Lack of financial or time control: Someone who is suddenly unable to account for their time or has regular absences that cannot be explained and is losing significant amounts of money should be investigated. Cryptic or evasive answers to family and friends about time spent or financial whereabouts may also be substantial.
Change in physical health Cults often require extensive physical work and tireless commitment from their members. This can result in sleep deprivation and neglect of personal health and hygiene.
Personality change: A rapid or sudden change in personality, such as becoming withdrawn or radical changes in values or systems of belief, may be an indicator. These changes may not necessarily be unhealthy, but they are a reason for someone who cares about the person to investigate their well-being and circumstances.
Several signs of cult involvement help identify someone who has joined or become close to a cult.
Common Cults and Their Practices
Cults have an elitist view of salvation. They claim that they alone are the faithful servants of God and that their group is the only channel of God’s truth and grace for humanity. Thus, all group members may be saved, but those outside the group may be lost. The People’s Temple stated that those who participated in the revolutionary suicide would be the only ones to enter the socialist paradise. The Sikh religion believes that it alone is the revealed religion of God. This elitist view, of course, results in intolerance of those outside the cult.
Cults are usually offshoots of other major religions. They may model their belief structures along Christian or Jewish lines, but their concepts and practices are unorthodox and, therefore, considered sinful. The Unification Church is a cult that calls itself Christian, yet it denies the sufficiency of Scripture, the deity of Christ, and the doctrine of grace. The International Church of Christ (Boston Movement) claims to be the true church and unjustly condemns all other Christian churches.
Common Cults and Their Practices
Cults can infiltrate any group, regardless of race, age, gender, or educational level. They are prevalent today in our society, and knowing the difference requires an individual to be aware and informed.
Cults vs. Legitimate Religious or Spiritual Groups
In contrast, a cult is founded upon a single individual’s charisma and leadership. Often, this person will claim to have received divine inspiration, and it is here that he will proclaim himself as a leader of a movement to give his interpretation of the scriptures to his followers. This will result in a dichotomy between the cult’s teachings and the traditional doctrine of the religion from which the cult originated.
The first difference between a cult and a religion is the origin. Most religions are founded upon the teachings of an inspired leader and the will of God. In Abrahamic religions, the prophets of God received knowledge from the supreme being and, in turn, conveyed this message to his followers. This message was then scribed into the holy scriptures of that religion and was to be learned and revered by that religion’s followers. Divine teachings can resolve centuries of controversy regarding traditional religious doctrine. In this respect, it creates a tradition based upon faith in those teachings.
According to the Anti-Cultism manual, pack, and seminar, the difference between a cult and a religion is derived from its origin, power, and the socioeconomic status of its founder or leaders, the manipulation of its followers, the lucrative goals of the organization, and the respectful traditions and beliefs that the organization creates. Upon examining these differences, it is evident that no universal profile of a cult has been established. Studies indicate that although some groups may be recognized as destructive cults, others exhibit some of the same characteristics but are not harmful to their members or society.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MANIPULATION IN CULTS
These groups use French and Raven’s five forms of social power to form a highly influential form of leadership. Social power, the ability of one person to influence others’ behavior, has five forms. These are coercive (the ability of one person to administer punishment to others), reward (use of reinforcement to influence behavior), legitimate (the psychological construct of duty or obligation), referent (an individual who is liked and respected, often influences
others), and expert (a person’s superior knowledge and abilities in a specific area). These power forms were elucidated in a study of power and influence in 1959 and are still highly regarded as a study on power. A cult leader generally has expert or referent power over the members, who use thought reform/re-education and self-simplification to change members’ identities to suit the leader’s goals better. Fears and irrational behaviors can easily be created and extinguished by this influence system. French and Raven also stated that knowledge and awareness of power dynamics is the best defense against destructive power. This level one course is an excellent example of an educational service aimed at those who wish to help others using converted knowledge.
Psychological manipulation is designed to change a person’s cognition, emotion, or behavior. Cultures are increasingly using sophisticated psychological techniques to influence and control members. Former members have reported using specific manipulation techniques for recruitment, retention, and absolute control over members. Some of the most common methods are a two-pronged attack of identity disruption and thought reform, control of information and environment to create group cognition, use of peer pressure and approval/disapproval to influence behaviors among members, and the instillation of irrational fears to help control an individual.