How Do They Control: An Insight into Cult Manipulation

Abstract

This paper is focused on the mechanisms behind cult control, both existing methods and mindset behind the implementation. It generally divides cult leaders’ techniques into two broad categories and discusses them with reference to the other: physical and psychological. Physical controls are based on changing an individual’s biological body structure and function, including diets, drastic activities, and even drug usage. Psychological controls, on the other hand, are the methods that are more generally known for manipulation and are mostly based on one’s mind. The essay provides an outline of the set of means behind the manipulation of cult members and illustrates the methods with specific cases connected to the impacts that the methods would have on individuals. It discusses the specific cases of Heaven’s Gate and Jenny (cult pseudo-personality), using them to demonstrate possible outcomes of cult control to make a clear connection between the manipulation methods and their impacts.