Sources
http://cultresearch.org/what-makes-a-cult/
http://www.csj.org/infoserv_cult101/checklis.htm
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mental-mishaps/201701/crowd-size-line-length-and-conformity
https://www.simplypsychology.org/asch-conformity.html
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/creativity-you/201703/can-conformity-be-creative
https://www.simplypsychology.org/conformity.html
https://listverse.com/2017/04/04/10-psychological-reasons-why-people-join-cults/
http://nobaproject.com/modules/the-psychology-of-groups
https://www.spring.org.uk/2009/09/how-groups-form-conform-then-warp-our-decision-making-productivity-and-creativity.php
http://www.csj.org/infoserv_cult101/checklis.htm
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mental-mishaps/201701/crowd-size-line-length-and-conformity
https://www.simplypsychology.org/asch-conformity.html
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/creativity-you/201703/can-conformity-be-creative
https://www.simplypsychology.org/conformity.html
https://listverse.com/2017/04/04/10-psychological-reasons-why-people-join-cults/
http://nobaproject.com/modules/the-psychology-of-groups
https://www.spring.org.uk/2009/09/how-groups-form-conform-then-warp-our-decision-making-productivity-and-creativity.php
Script
Cult-Making 101 - Groups (Part 1) | Sai-Cology (Ep.10)
Hello. Welcome to Sai-cology with me, Saira. Have a seat why don’t you? Make yourself at home, Help yourself to some fresh kool-aid that I’ve just made myself. (smile.)
Cults. A social group defined by shared beliefs or a common interest. Associated with what some call brainwashing-- extremely high levels of conformity. But how do people fall prey to these groups? We’ll be diving into group psychology, obedience, conformity and power in the next few episodes.
SAI-COLOGY TITLE
We all drink the Kool-Aid
So, first off the four major characteristics of a cult - 1. A Charismatic Leader - usually one that is not allowed to be questioned or doubted 2. Belief System 3. Control - this is a set of rules and regulations that usually require some sort of exclusivity or secrecy (Remember humans love things that are exclusive- we need to feel like we belong). You can’t tell others about certain rituals, you have to look a certain way or act a certain way. 4. Systems of influence besides the leader, there is loads of peer pressure involved. There’s also some sort of mind-altering practice like meditation, chanting, or other routine meant to break down your mental strength. Many groups (sororities and fraternities, religious groups, acting troupes, a cappella groups, bands, friend groups, research groups, ANY GROUP CAN HAVE THESE CHARACTERISTICS) easily fall into at least one of these categories-- and although not all cults are dangerous, it’s important you realize when you are part of a group that partakes in cult-like practices or ideologies. Cults happen because most people in cults don’t realize or think they are in one!
There are also a few different types of conformity.
Now why are we so vulnerable to these kinds of groups? Why do we conform so easily?
In a study by Solomon Asch, he asked people how long the lines were in relation to one another-- but if everyone else in the room is a plant and answers the wrong answer-- the real participant, who answered last, gave the wrong answer that everyone else did at least once. People want to fit in with groups or the “norm” because of normative influence or they fall under informational influence which is believing that others know better than they do.
Physical Synchronization also leads to cohesiveness of thought-- so if you are in a group of people who are all doing the same task or made to say or sing the same things over and over, you’ll find that as a group you will conform and feel more unified.
So who and when are we most vulnerable to this? Kids of divorce, or people that have been recently dumped, or that have faced a lot of loneliness or confusion in life and people in high stress situations are much more vulnerable to seeking out a sense of belonging and guidance that can be found in the form of a tight knit group. But, anyone can be seduced by cults-- it’s part of our human nature-- cults erode your sense of self by invading personal boundaries and stripping people of individuality-- they give new identities like nicknames or roles to help aide this. Cults often have special recruitment processes that entice and intrigue people, they have a structured lifestyle which is great for people who aren’t sure what to do with their lives and want direction and purpose.
Groups, Troops and Troupes
We love to be part of a “we.” This is because we like to belong! We’re also super lazy and we love labels because they allow us to use heuristics or mental shortcuts. This is why we use political parties, religions, genders, races, clubs or teams, etc to help define us and learn more about another person quickly-- even if we don’t necessarily believe in all things associated with that label.
Groups can create lots of problems. One is social loafing.This is because people are underachievers generally and individuals will put in less effort than when they must work alone. Another downside is group polarization which is that in groups people will make more extreme choices because they feel validated than if making that choice on their own. Another disadvantage is the common knowledge effect which happens when people discuss information they already all know rather than information that is new to the group. Also, groupthink that makes people start placing conforming and being cohesive over being realistic and thinking for themselves.
Power of Many
Sometimes conformity can be good-- there are beneficial norms that we learn and adhere to. Society tells us to act a certain way in public-- to be polite and kind, to not hurt others, to not act reckless or obnoxious -- these norms that people conform to are helpful for helping our society function smoother and more unified.
There is also something called the conformity effect which shows that looking at other’s ideas can limit how we solve a problem since we mimic others unconsciously. However, if we make an exact copy of someone elses work, it can boost our creativity because by purposefully studying how another person works, it can help us widen our perspective and develop our own methods of working, as well as we will more consciously push to avoid doing what another person did.
Other times groups are good are when brainstorming or working - often more ideas and more work is done. We also can perform better because of the social facilitation effect where we want to prove our contribution is worthy. A lot of what determines if a group is successful or catastrophic is the cohesion, teamwork and loyalty people have- towards it-- the group importance.
The group importance to each individual can affect how a group functions. First, strength, is the group something you strongly feel a part of? Second, immediacy how close in space or time are you when you are working,and finally, size - how many people are in the group? Bigger groups can help us feel less pressure and responsibility to be a part of it in some senses since you can “hide” behind others, but on the other hand, more people makes us feel more peer pressure since if so many others are doing something, they must be right and you don’t want to be left out.
Today, we talked about cults and how they work, about conformity and about the basics of group psychology. Next week we will talk about obedience and the week after, about the psychology of power… or power of psychology :).
If you want to be a part of a group with me, hit that subscribe button and comment down below so we can start a conversation! See you next time, and remember, to behave yourself!
Hello. Welcome to Sai-cology with me, Saira. Have a seat why don’t you? Make yourself at home, Help yourself to some fresh kool-aid that I’ve just made myself. (smile.)
Cults. A social group defined by shared beliefs or a common interest. Associated with what some call brainwashing-- extremely high levels of conformity. But how do people fall prey to these groups? We’ll be diving into group psychology, obedience, conformity and power in the next few episodes.
SAI-COLOGY TITLE
We all drink the Kool-Aid
So, first off the four major characteristics of a cult - 1. A Charismatic Leader - usually one that is not allowed to be questioned or doubted 2. Belief System 3. Control - this is a set of rules and regulations that usually require some sort of exclusivity or secrecy (Remember humans love things that are exclusive- we need to feel like we belong). You can’t tell others about certain rituals, you have to look a certain way or act a certain way. 4. Systems of influence besides the leader, there is loads of peer pressure involved. There’s also some sort of mind-altering practice like meditation, chanting, or other routine meant to break down your mental strength. Many groups (sororities and fraternities, religious groups, acting troupes, a cappella groups, bands, friend groups, research groups, ANY GROUP CAN HAVE THESE CHARACTERISTICS) easily fall into at least one of these categories-- and although not all cults are dangerous, it’s important you realize when you are part of a group that partakes in cult-like practices or ideologies. Cults happen because most people in cults don’t realize or think they are in one!
There are also a few different types of conformity.
- Compliance - when we accept influence and outwardly conform even though we privately don’t agree, but do it just to avoid being shamed or different or to win favor.
- Internalization When we publicly and inwardly believe and accept what others say or do.
- Identification It is when we conform to the expectations of a role such as being a police officer or teacher, even if we don’t privately believe those things- Zimbardo’s Prison Study is an example of this.
Now why are we so vulnerable to these kinds of groups? Why do we conform so easily?
In a study by Solomon Asch, he asked people how long the lines were in relation to one another-- but if everyone else in the room is a plant and answers the wrong answer-- the real participant, who answered last, gave the wrong answer that everyone else did at least once. People want to fit in with groups or the “norm” because of normative influence or they fall under informational influence which is believing that others know better than they do.
Physical Synchronization also leads to cohesiveness of thought-- so if you are in a group of people who are all doing the same task or made to say or sing the same things over and over, you’ll find that as a group you will conform and feel more unified.
So who and when are we most vulnerable to this? Kids of divorce, or people that have been recently dumped, or that have faced a lot of loneliness or confusion in life and people in high stress situations are much more vulnerable to seeking out a sense of belonging and guidance that can be found in the form of a tight knit group. But, anyone can be seduced by cults-- it’s part of our human nature-- cults erode your sense of self by invading personal boundaries and stripping people of individuality-- they give new identities like nicknames or roles to help aide this. Cults often have special recruitment processes that entice and intrigue people, they have a structured lifestyle which is great for people who aren’t sure what to do with their lives and want direction and purpose.
Groups, Troops and Troupes
We love to be part of a “we.” This is because we like to belong! We’re also super lazy and we love labels because they allow us to use heuristics or mental shortcuts. This is why we use political parties, religions, genders, races, clubs or teams, etc to help define us and learn more about another person quickly-- even if we don’t necessarily believe in all things associated with that label.
Groups can create lots of problems. One is social loafing.This is because people are underachievers generally and individuals will put in less effort than when they must work alone. Another downside is group polarization which is that in groups people will make more extreme choices because they feel validated than if making that choice on their own. Another disadvantage is the common knowledge effect which happens when people discuss information they already all know rather than information that is new to the group. Also, groupthink that makes people start placing conforming and being cohesive over being realistic and thinking for themselves.
Power of Many
Sometimes conformity can be good-- there are beneficial norms that we learn and adhere to. Society tells us to act a certain way in public-- to be polite and kind, to not hurt others, to not act reckless or obnoxious -- these norms that people conform to are helpful for helping our society function smoother and more unified.
There is also something called the conformity effect which shows that looking at other’s ideas can limit how we solve a problem since we mimic others unconsciously. However, if we make an exact copy of someone elses work, it can boost our creativity because by purposefully studying how another person works, it can help us widen our perspective and develop our own methods of working, as well as we will more consciously push to avoid doing what another person did.
Other times groups are good are when brainstorming or working - often more ideas and more work is done. We also can perform better because of the social facilitation effect where we want to prove our contribution is worthy. A lot of what determines if a group is successful or catastrophic is the cohesion, teamwork and loyalty people have- towards it-- the group importance.
The group importance to each individual can affect how a group functions. First, strength, is the group something you strongly feel a part of? Second, immediacy how close in space or time are you when you are working,and finally, size - how many people are in the group? Bigger groups can help us feel less pressure and responsibility to be a part of it in some senses since you can “hide” behind others, but on the other hand, more people makes us feel more peer pressure since if so many others are doing something, they must be right and you don’t want to be left out.
Today, we talked about cults and how they work, about conformity and about the basics of group psychology. Next week we will talk about obedience and the week after, about the psychology of power… or power of psychology :).
If you want to be a part of a group with me, hit that subscribe button and comment down below so we can start a conversation! See you next time, and remember, to behave yourself!