If you’re a fan of true crime books, podcasts, or documentaries, then you’ve probably learned a fair amount about cults. Now, by definition, a cult is a social group defined by unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs and rituals OR its common interest in a particular personality, object, or goal. If we had to guess, a number of cults are probably buzzing in your brain right now such as the Manson Family or the Fundamental Church of Ladder Day Saints. But the thing is, while we will always be fascinated by the specifics of these cults, quite possibly the most fascinating thing about cults is the psychology behind them. Let’s take a look at some of the basics.
Cults promote comfort and it’s human nature to want and desire that. Cult leaders tend to make outlandish promises that aren’t even close to being attainable, but they aren’t offered anywhere else, such as financial security or eternal life.
Cults provide answers to all of life’s questions. There are a lot of things in this world that aren’t simply black or simply white, but the thing is, as humans, we love clarity and we yearn to know answers. Cult leaders, no matter out crazy it may sound, can make some sense out of everything. Enough sense, at least, to appease their “followers” and appear as though they have all of the answers.
Cults will love you. Well, kinda. The lower a person’s self-esteem is, the more likely they are to join a cult because they crave belonging so bad. And what happens as soon as a person joins a cult? They’re practically suffocated with love and acceptance at first. The problem here is that this often takes a turn for the worse whether that looks like sex trafficking, child abuse, or arranged marriages, but as humans, we’ll go along with crazy things if we think we’re getting love and affection in return.
Cults are able to maintain power and they do so by creating an “us vs. them” mentality. Cult leaders are really good at gaining members that already have low self-esteem, making them feel like they’re a part of something, then making them believe that everyone else is against them. Who are the with them, after all? This is why so often cult leaders are referred to as masters of mind control, using tactics such as public humiliation, brainwashing, and paranoia to gain and keep control over their members.