The Influence of Cults

Imagine your life is in shambles. You can barely afford to eat, you don’t have anywhere to sleep, and you’re struggling. And then a man comes along, offers you food and somewhere to live, and he coerces you to believe that he’s your savior, or that he’s the Messiah. You are surviving because of them, they have manipulated you, and now you aren’t able to live without them. 

Cults have been prevalent since the third century BC. Beginning with the Cult of Dionysus to one of the most publicized cult court cases of Charles Manson and his family. From Heaven’s Gate to Charles Manson’s family.

Charles Manson, Marshall Applewhite, and his wife Bonnie Lu Nettles, were all master manipulators that talked their way into people’s minds by making them think that they were their saviors. To leave their lives behind, their families behind and sell all their stuff to support the “cause.”

According to Davenport Psychology a cult is defined as “a group or movement that uses manipulative tactics to control and exploit its members.”

One of the key tactics used by cult leaders is social conditioning, which is defined as “the sociological process of training individuals in a society to respond in a manner generally approved by the society in general and peer groups within society.”

By isolating members from their friends and family and limiting their exposure to outside views, cult leaders are able to control the story and prevent members from questioning their beliefs. 

Another very important tactic is “group dynamics” or “peer pressure.” Cults often use intense group activities and rituals to create a sense of unity and belonging among members. This can include chanting, singing, and other repetitive activities that create a trance-like state and make members more gullible, in order to coax their ideas.

To understand the art of manipulation, let’s look at a few examples.