What is a Cult?

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The American Psychological Association defines a cult as a “group characterized by unusual or atypical beliefs, seclusion from the outside world, and an authoritarian structure” that tends to be “highly cohesive, well-organized, secretive, and hostile to nonmembers” (VandenBos et al., 2007). This seems to describe the ethnocentric behavior of ingroups in general, although cults are notably more extreme in their beliefs and behaviorisms.

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Cults are more prevalent than many people may realize

 

This is because, in part at least, the image of a cult almost invariably invokes religious themes in the collective consciousness. For purposes of investigating cults, though, it’s important to understand that cults are based more on the psychology of the members as opposed to a specific belief promoted by the cult. The investigation would benefit greatly by focusing on the psychology of the members of the cult instead of fixating on the beliefs and activities per se or focusing primarily on the leaders. 

 

Cults aren’t just for religious people

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Cults have often been associated with religion. While this is certainly true with many cults—e.g., Children of God, Heaven’s Gate, The People’s Temple, Aum Shinrikyo, Branch Davidians—it is shortsighted to think of cults as a purely religious phenomenon. Framing cults solely in the context of religion ignores the reality that this phenomenon characterizes other groups throughout the human race and appeals to people who are not necessarily religious.   

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Cults may also be philosophical or ideological in nature

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The infamous Manson Family wasn’t fundamentally religious; it was Manson’s philosophical beliefs about the Apocalypse that influenced the murders committed by his followers. His intent was to start a race war by pinning the murders of Caucasians on African Americans. His ideology—which he referred to as “Helter Skelter”—was influenced more by his traumatic past that involved violence, sexual abuse, and criminal behavior than religious beliefs.   

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Cults may involve occult beliefs and practices

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Adolfo de Jesus Constanzo—leader of the notorious Los Narcosatánicos—had a background in both Catholicism and Palo Mayombe although his notoriety relates primarily to his role as a drug trafficking serial killer who ritually dismembered and mutilated the bodies of his victims. He believed human sacrifice would provide more powerful protection for his murderous cult. His “god” was the magic powers he accrued through sadistic mutilation rituals using select victims.

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Cults often involve New Age or cosmic teachings   

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The Order of the Solar Temple had religious associations—i.e., Knights Templar—although it was more a “spiritual” New Age cult with cosmic themes than a religion. One of its leaders—Joseph Di Mambro—was believed by members to be a Knights Templar in a previous life while its other leader—Luc Jouret—trafficked in New Age beliefs. Members of this apocalyptic cult committed suicide in the belief that it was necessary in order to enter a higher spiritual plane. Others were ritualistically murdered. 

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The Church of Scientology, which presents itself as a “religion in its highest meaning,” espouses the belief that people are immortal spiritual “alien” beings—thetans—who have forgotten their true nature and whose hidden abilities can be unlocked through spiritual rehabilitation. It’s a complex organization headquartered in Los Angeles, California that includes cruise ships, affiliated organizations, production facilities, distribution centers, and numerous other missions, churches, and groups. Former members who’ve managed to break away have shared accounts of its authoritarian structure and hostile treatment of dissenters.    

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These are just a few examples supporting the fact that cults are not confined to any particular belief system but involve many different beliefs.

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Understanding the psychology of cult members

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It’s easy to get caught up in the “dark” mystery and sensationalism of the cult phenomenon. It’s even easier to attribute cult behavior to religiosity or a psychopathic leader—especially given the popular tendency to do so. But this is counterproductive to understanding cults. To understand the cult, the investigator must understand the members who make up the cult—i.e., use a top-down and bottom-up approach.  

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Much research has been devoted to the psychological traits of a cult leader—e.g., pathologically narcissistic, grandiose, psychopathic, sadistic, sexual deviancy, ego maniac­—with less attention paid to the psychology of other cult members. Given the influence and power a leader has with the members of a cult, it’s certainly important to understand the leader. But the investigation shouldn’t stop there. It’s not difficult to understand the leader given their need for adoration and praise—which increases public exposure; it’s more challenging to understand the less visible members.    

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The members are an important part of the cult dynamic

 

Just as cult members depend on the leader for direction and guidance, the leader depends on the members to exert his or her influence and power and carry out his or her commands (remember that Manson never directly participated in the murders; his followers did the actual murdering). Thus, understanding the members can help the investigator get a broader understanding of the cult as a whole—a trees for the forest analysis.

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For example, some of Charles Manson’s followers were heavily involved in the drug and music culture, some displayed antisocial and delinquent behavior in their youth, some experienced an unstable family life, and some were even homeless. This is in direct contrast to the fact that some members graduated high school and attended college, were honor students, and served as editors of their high school yearbook.

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What’s my point here? For one, appearances are not reality: “good” kids by social standards can become bad adults. Also, Manson appealed to the vulnerabilities and needs of his followers. Sure, he was a master manipulator but this wouldn’t have been possible without followers who were susceptible to his manipulation. In the words of the poet John Donne: “no man is an island.”

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Analyzing the psychology of cult members can enhance the investigation

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Understanding the vulnerabilities and needs of cult members as well as their overall psychology can help the investigator understand what motivates a person to join a cult and engage in horrible acts of violence on its behalf in the first place. As Winston Churchill said: “the farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” This backward-looking-for-forward-understanding investigative approach can thus greatly enhance the outcome of the investigation.  

     

What the investigator should keep in mind when investigating cults or activity related to cults is that the psychology of the members of a cult will have a major influence on their behavior. The investigator should consider how contributing factors like socio-economic status, family problems, peer group influence, social tensions, and psychological dynamics—i.e., personality organization, neurological disorders, psychopathology—influence a member’s behavior.

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Ultimately, it’s the interrelationship between the leaders and the members that make a cult what it is. But without understanding the individual members and their role in the cult dynamic, the investigator is missing a very crucial piece of the puzzle.  

 

It will become even more relevant to understand the cult phenomenon as time progresses given the current worldwide existential dilemma. Whenever people are confronted with overwhelming and catastrophic events—such as the current global events—in general they tend to gravitate towards groups as a protective measure against the existential anxiety they experience. This inevitably includes cults. Thus, there will likely be an uptick in cult memberships and the emergence of new cults as a result of the current global anxiety. The prudent investigator should develop their knowledge of cults to prepare for this increase.

    

References

In G. R. VandenBos et al. (Eds.) (2007). APA Dictionary of Psychology. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.