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How do Cults Work?

In the last blog post, we discussed some fundamental elements of cults: A charismatic leader who believes themselves to be “God-like”; a “Thought Reform” program of indoctrination; and some form of exploitation of its members.

But how do Cults actually work? How do they operate?

Returning to the Netflix docuseries Explained episode all about cults, it’s clear that leaders of these organizations prey on people who find themselves falling on hard times. People who are at a crossroads in their lives are usually at their most vulnerable, meaning that someone with nefarious intentions and a charming personality could use those circumstances to manipulate the individual.

This process begins by promising the individual that by joining the organization, they can bring new and improved meaning to their lives.



The docuseries argues that there exists a loneliness epidemic around the world, with people lacking a sense of community even though in theory, human society has never been more interconnected. We currently possess countless methods of communication right at our fingertips that we can use to instantly connect with others, yet many people find themselves detached from the outer world. Scholars have pointed out that “the quality of social connections and how they are arranged have a profound effect on how individuals experience the world” (King, 2018, p. 1315) and cult leaders take advantage of individuals with poor social networks and poor-quality relationships.

Once an individual enters a seemingly well-meaning organization that promises them a "new beginning," it begins to consume their lives in every aspect. Other cult members become that person’s new social network, and the thought of not having that support system anymore becomes one of the primary motivating factors to remain in the organization. Individuals are encouraged to cut contact with people in their lives who do not support their involvement in the organization, referred to as “detractors,” “non-believers,” or “the enemy” (Beckford, 1985, p. 9). Simultaneously, peer pressure within the cult to conform, coupled with the fear of being ostracized provide an intrinsic encouragement to buy in to whatever the cult leader is selling.

The construction of a new reality putting the cult leader front-and-centre, the creation of an enemy, the molding and manipulation of the group’s beliefs and behaviours, and the fear of being excluded fundamentally rely on loneliness. It begins with vulnerability, and nearly always ends in catastrophic destruction.

In the next blog, we’ll take a closer look at how the internet amplifies the power of cults by bringing people together in an online forum.

Cheers!


References:

Beckford, James A. Cult Controversies: The Societal Response to New Religious Movements. London: Tavistock Publications Ltd. 1985.

King, Marissa. "Working to Address the Loneliness Epidemic: Perspective-Taking, Presence, and Self-Disclosure." American Journal of Health Promotion 32(5). July 4, 2018. URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/0890117118776735c

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