Terminology
A term to refer to cults that implies that all cults are religious.
What are New Religious Movements
Giving group members new names and/or using specific phrases that divide group members from the rest of society.
The four structural dimensions of this include Charismatic Authority, Transcendent Belief System, Systems of Control, and Systems of Influence.
What are cult social dynamics
The ability of individuals or groups to achieve or further their interests, despite resistance from others.
What is power
A unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things (set apart and forbidden), beliefs, and practices, which unite into one single moral community, called a church, all those who adhere to them.
What is religion
Another name for conversion, which Lalich defines as "The results of a series of intense social-psychological influences aimed at behavior modification. It is a complex, multilayered, and time-consuming process."
What is brainwashing
Words or phrases that have a strong emotional charge
What is loaded language
Network of interactions and methods of influence residing in the group’s social relations.
What are systems of influence
Right to exercise certain forms of power.
What is authority
Concept that Protestantism supports the pursuit of material gain by motivating believers to work hard, be successful, and not spend their profits on frivolous things. Consequently, Protestants influenced the rise of capitalism.
What is the Protestant Work Ethic
"Either a sharply bounded social group or a diffusely bounded social movement held together through shared commitment to a charismatic leader. It upholds a transcendent ideology (often but not always religious in nature) and requires a high level of personal commitment from its members in words and deeds.”
What is a cult
"A commonly used phrase that blocks further analytical thinking"
What is a thought-terminating cliche
Overarching ideology that bonds members to each other and compels them to obey group rules and norms.
What is a transcendent belief system
A situation where a person has the option to act against his moral commitments and convictions.
What is moral dissonance
A well-integrated society where all members have been socialized into its shared norms and values.
What is social solidarity
A unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things (set apart and forbidden), beliefs, and practices, which unite into one single moral community, called a church, all those who adhere to them.
What is religion
Combines new age beliefs and conspiracy theories.
What is a conspiritualist
A key moment “when the believer becomes a ‘true believer’ in service to the charismatic leader, due to a fusion between the ideal of personal freedom (as promised in the stated goal of the group or its ideology) and the demand for self-renunciation (as prescribed by the rule and norms).”
What is charismatic commitment
When a shift in risk perception leads to groups taking greater risks than the average of the individuals within them would be willing to take.
Risky-shift Phenomenon
Of, from, or relating to a higher spiritual power (deity).
What is the divine
The process by which a person develops a new perspective on life. This leads to a new sense of purpose and belonging, and a new self. And that changes how the person sees and understands the world.
What is conversion
Amanda Montell says that language helps cult leaders amass power, which she says is the ultimate _________ of cult leaders.
What is goal
A narrow realm of constraint and control, dedication and duty.
What is bounded choice
Individuals with ordinary moral beliefs and convictions are able to convince themselves that their actions are morally acceptable.
Neutralization Theory
Religious organizations that are dfined by Wallis as being more radical 'offshoots of churches' that are headed by charismatic leaders.
What are sects