The Lure of Cults and High Control Groups
Spiritual Discernment, Part 6
“Faith can be a wonderful thing if it is balanced by critical thinking.”
Steven Hassan
Combating Cult Mind Control: The Guide to Protection, Rescue and Recovery from Destructive Cults
As I was growing up, young people were often warned to be on guard against cults. It was a time of social and political unrest, with many searching for meaning in a fast-changing world. This period gave rise to several prominent cults. Some notable examples included The People's Temple (Jim Jones), the Manson Family (Charles Manson), and Heaven's Gate (Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles).
Those days are gone, but potential peril remains if we are ignorant to the possibilities that cults present. We are once again in a time of social and political unrest. A strong intuitive sense and well cultivated discernment skills are critical when we stumble upon -- knowingly or unknowingly -- a cult, otherwise known as a high-control group.
Defining Our Terms
In speaking of these groups, the term “high-control group” offers a more neutral and academic tone than the word cult. From a layman’s perspective, the latter is rather charged and carries a stigma. Call it what you will, a high-control group is no less harmful to someone who becomes entangled in it. While the words may have some nuanced differences, I’ll use both terms synonymously here.
According to the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA), founded in 1979, the term cult lacks a universally accepted definition. The association highlights a useful description, however, once proposed by the late Benjamin Zablocki, a professor at Rutgers University. Dr. Zablocki taught sociology of religion and social psychology and published widely on the subject of charismatic religious movements, cults, and brainwashing. He defined a cult, as an ideological organization held together by charismatic relationships and one which demands total commitment from its members.
A cult, or high-control group, is often led by a charismatic and authoritarian leader who holds absolute power. This leader typically claims exclusive access to truth or spiritual knowledge and expects unquestioning loyalty from followers. Robert Jay Lifton, a psychiatrist who studied thought reform, identified the "doctrine over person" principle, where the group's ideology takes precedence over the well-being or autonomy of individual members (Source: Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of “Brainwashing” in China; 1989).
In alignment with Lifton, the ICSA highlights the exploitation of members as a defining feature of a cult. Leaders of cults or high-control groups often exploit their followers emotionally, financially, and sometimes sexually. This exploitation can take the form of members working without compensation, giving large sums of money, or engaging in practices that serve the leader’s personal interests. These patterns of behavior and control are clearly detrimental to the well-being of members and serve to distinguish cults and high-control groups from mainstream religious, spiritual, or social organizations.
While our focus for this post is the cult, or high-control group, another category we may encounter is worth mentioning: the high-demand group. While not as extreme, these groups place significant behavioral demands on members, striving to maximize members’ output and dedication. The high demands typically come in the form of time (e.g., meetings, service), money (e.g., significant contributions or tithes), sacrifice (e.g., to career, relationships, or personal goals) and/or loyalty (e.g., to the group’s mission). Some examples of high-demand groups include certain multi-level marketing, religious, and extreme volunteer organizations.
Methods of Control
Leading cult expert, Dr. Steven Hassan, often shares his personal experience with the Moonies when discussing cults and high-control groups. The Moonies emerged during the 70s, and as a young adult, Hassan fell prey to the group’s intentional manipulation and brainwashing that led to the complete erosion of his personal autonomy and identity. What seemed, in the beginning, to be a welcoming community — offering a sense of belonging, purpose, and ready answers — was, in actuality, a nefarious cult that took total control of his life.
It took years of devoted help from others, along with his own will and effort to free himself of the group’s mind control tactics. Dr. Hassan has since committed decades of his professional life to assisting other victims in the reclamation of their lives and to the promotion of cult awareness within the general public. His wisdom and guidance are shared through books, courses, and social media content that can be accessed through his web site, Freedom of Mind Resource Center.
Dr. Hassan presents a framework that uses the easy-to-remember acronym, BITE. This model is used to analyze and understand the methods that cults and high-control groups use to manipulate and control individuals. The BITE Model stands for Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotion — the four key areas in which these groups exert control.
Cults and high-control groups use psychological manipulation to rapidly change individuals’ identities, values, and beliefs. Hassan emphasizes that cults use psychological techniques to break down individuals’ pre-existing beliefs and personalities, replacing them with a new, group-centered identity (Source: Combatting Cult Mind Control; 2015)
1. Behavior Control: This refers to the manipulation of a person's actions, routines, and behaviors. It includes tactics like monitoring, restricting access to certain places or people, and imposing rules and regulations that limit personal freedom. Groups often use rewards and punishments to enforce desired behaviors.
2. Information Control: Cults and high-control groups limit or distort access to information. This can involve controlling what members are allowed to read, watch, or listen to, as well as discouraging independent thinking or outside opinions. Leaders may provide "approved" information while censoring or discrediting outside sources, including critical media or information from former members.
3. Thought Control: Thought control involves shaping and dictating the way members think. This can include thought-stopping techniques, where individuals are trained to avoid certain thoughts or critical thinking. The group may also promote a specific ideology or belief system, encouraging members to accept the group's teachings without question, often using labels like "us vs. them" to create division with the outside world.
4. Emotion Control: Emotion control refers to the manipulation of a person’s emotional state to make them dependent on the group and its leaders. This can involve inducing guilt, fear, or shame, while simultaneously offering emotional rewards like a sense of belonging or security. Emotional control techniques can also include creating a dependency on the group's validation for self-worth.
The BITE Model is widely used in the study of cults and high-control groups to help identify the tactics they use to gain and maintain control over their members. Understanding this model is helpful for people who are trying to exit or recover from such groups, as it highlights the areas where manipulation occurs and offers insight into the overall psychological and social pressures exerted by these organizations.
Where Do These Groups Present Themselves?
Understanding the different ways cults and high-control groups manifest is important for helping us recognize and protect ourselves and others from their manipulative and destructive effects. Cults and high-control groups can emerge in a variety of realms, including religious, spiritual, political, and even secular contexts. They can appear within community groups, sporting clubs, or even workplaces.
The categories and descriptions below can help us expand our thinking about what may constitute a cult and where they might be found. We can consider the characteristics and methods outlined above when assessing whether something resembles an ordinary group or something much more destructive. Use of the BITE model as a lens can help us discern whether there are “red flags” that serve as cautions, warning us to steer clear.
Religious and Spiritual Realms:
Religious Cults — Many cults are explicitly religious, with leaders often claiming divine authority or special knowledge.
New Age Groups — Certain cults may incorporate New Age philosophies or esoteric practices.
Spiritual Healing — Groups that promise spiritual healing or enlightenment can also become cults.
Political and Social Realms:
Political Cults — Political groups can develop cult-like characteristics, particularly those with strong charismatic leaders or who promote extreme ideologies.
Totalitarian Regimes — Cults of personality often accompany totalitarian or authoritarian leaders.
Social Movements — Some social movements can become cult-like if they become overly reliant on a single leader and suppress dissenting opinions.
Workplace Cults — Even in the workplace, a charismatic leader can create a high-control environment that resembles a cult, particularly if they suppress dissent and demand excessive loyalty.
Other Realms:
Commercial / Multilevel Marketing — Some multi-level marketing schemes can incorporate cult-like practices, focusing on the personality of the leader and promoting unrealistic earnings potential.
Psychotherapy — While certainly not all psychotherapy practices are cult-like, some can become so if over-reliance on the therapist is promoted and independent thought is discouraged.
True cults often exhibit specific characteristics such as totalitarian control, manipulation, and the suppression of critical thinking. While certain groups today might fit this description, and exhibit harmful or abusive practices, it is critical to distinguish between those that are clearly cults versus groups that simply have a strong, enthusiastic following.
Who is most susceptible?
Keep in mind that anyone has the potential to become the target of exploitation from high-control groups. Just ask Steve Hassan. He discusses that he was an unlikely target whenever he shares his personal cult narrative.
There are, however, certain psychological, social, and situational characteristics that make a person more susceptible to cults or high-control groups. It’s important to note that vulnerability to such groups is not solely based on traits inherent within the individual. Certain external factors, group tactics, and social influences also play significant roles.
Here are a few of the main factors that increase susceptibility. Consider which are characteristic of you or someone you may be concerned about:
Emotional Vulnerability: Individuals who feel isolated, lonely, or disconnected from their communities are more susceptible to cults. These groups often prey on people looking for a sense of belonging, meaning, or emotional support.
(Source: Eileen Barker; Researcher focusing on cults, sects, and new religious movements)
Low Self-Esteem or Search for Identity: People who are unsure of their identity or self-worth are often looking for answers or structure. Cults can provide a sense of certainty and purpose that individuals may lack in their lives.
(Source: Robert Lifton, researcher who focused on the psychology of brainwashing)
High Stress or Life Transitions: Major life changes such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, career change, or moving to a new location can make individuals more vulnerable to cults, as these groups promise stability, guidance, and a clear path forward.
(Source: Michael D. Langone, American counseling psychologist specializing in research about cultic groups and psychological manipulation)
Black-and-White Thinking: People who are drawn to clear-cut answers to life’s complexities are more likely to be attracted to cults, which often present a simplistic, binary worldview - right vs. wrong, us vs. them.
(Source: Margaret Thaler Singer, Cults in Our Midst)
Social Connectedness: Cults can offer a sense of family, community, and belonging that might be missing from the person’s life. The need to feel part of something larger than oneself is a powerful draw.
(Source: George D. Chryssides, British academic and researcher on new religious movements and cults)
Vulnerable to Persuasive Techniques: People who are less aware of psychological manipulation or persuasive techniques are more likely to be influenced by cult leaders. This includes emotional manipulation, social pressure, and cognitive dissonance, which are often used to control members’ thoughts and behaviors.
(Source: Robert Cialdini, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion)
Idealism or Spiritual Search: Those who are deeply spiritual or idealistic, especially if they are in search of a "higher truth" or enlightenment, can be more susceptible to groups that promise access to ultimate truths or spiritual awakening.
(Source: Lorne L. Dawson, Comprehending Cults: The Sociology of New Religious Movements)
Weak Critical Thinking: People who do not critically analyze the beliefs and practices of groups they join are more likely to fall into cults. This can be due to cognitive biases such as the desire for social conformity, authority bias, or the appeal of emotional narratives.
(Source: Alan Scheflin, The Mind Manipulators)
Young Adults or Adolescents: Young people, especially those in their late teens or early twenties, are more susceptible to cults due to their search for identity, belonging, and purpose. They are often more open to new experiences and might be seeking meaning that they feel is lacking in their lives.
Source: (Marlene Winell, Leaving the Fold: A Guide for Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving Their Religion)
High Need for Control or Certainty: Individuals who seek greater control over their lives, especially after experiencing chaos or uncertainty, might be drawn to groups that offer a strict, regulated environment with clear rules and expectations.
Final Thoughts
While no one is immune, individuals who are emotionally vulnerable, searching for belonging, identity, or spiritual meaning, and who are undergoing significant life transitions or stress, are more likely to be recruited by cults. These groups exploit vulnerabilities through manipulation, psychological pressure, and promises of community, certainty, and purpose.
ICSA’s research shows that groups vary enormously in their potential for harm, whether it be physical, psychological, economic, social, and/or spiritual. Also, people respond in varied ways to any given group environment. Some individuals’ participation leaves them relatively unscathed, while others are left shattered in the wake. Therefore, ICSA’s logical position is this: Under some circumstances, some groups can harm some people.
In my opinion, even some people is too many. I underscore, therefore, the importance of gaining awareness of cults and high-control groups, their goals, and how they operate – both for our own wellbeing and for those we care about.
On their web site, the ICSA indicates that one percent of the U.S. population (approximately three million people) have been involved in cult groups at some point in their lives. They estimate that between 50,000 and 100,000 people enter and leave these groups annually. The percentages are similar for Western Europe.
ICSA has information and inquiries on file for over four thousand groups that have triggered concern, many of which have been the subject of major news reports. The number of these groups that can truly be defined as cults is unknown, however. The association, therefore, does not maintain a list of these on its web site, as its position is that each group of concern must be evaluated individually.
If you or someone you care about is at risk or experiencing abuse from a cult or high-control group, seek information and/or assistance from a credible resource such as ICSA or Steve Hassan’s Freedom of Mind Resource Center. Steer clear, too, of groups that fit the high-demand definition.
Your spiritual life is a gift. Keep it safe from all who would exploit it.