DavidWish:
Yes.
That's the stated mission of the Ross Institute and the purpose of this site and Internet Archives.
There is a subsection regarding recovery issues on this site.
See [
www.culteducation.com]
There is also a directory of recovery resources listing licensed professional counselors well-acquainted with cults that specifically have experience helping former members.
See [
www.culteducation.com]
The basic dynamics of destructive cults is discussed in this subsection.
See [
www.culteducation.com]
The best books to read on the subject would include the following:
Bounded Choice: True Believers and Charismatic Cults
Cults in our MidstAnd from an evangelical Christian perspective:
The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse - Recognizing and Escaping Spiritual Manipulation and False Spiritual Authority within the Church
The Drift Into Deception - The Eight Characteristics of Abusive ChristianityMost cult leaders fit the profile of psychopaths. To better understand psychopaths this book is helpful.
Without ConscienceFor more information about these and other related books see [
www.culteducation.com]
There is also a large subsection within this Web site concerning "brainwashing."
See [
www.culteducation.com]
The key research articles, which can be quite helpful in the recovery process, through gaining an in-depth understanding of manipulative coercive persuasion techniques are:
Coercive Persuasion and Attitude Change by Richard Ofshe
Thought Reform and Psychology of Totalsim by Robert Jay Lifton
Cult Formation by Robert Jay Lifton
You can better understand the distinctions between various forms of persuasion by studying this chart prepared by clinical psychologist Margaret Singer, author of "Cults in Our Midst." Singer professionally counseled more than 1,000 former cult members.
See [
www.culteducation.com]
Singer also wrote the seminal paper "Coming out of Cults" about the recovery process.
See [
www.culteducation.com]
Singer observed that virtually anyone could be recruited by a cult. All of us are vulnerable at various times and therefore potentially viable targets for cult recruitment.
The key is understanding how such groups operate and the techniques they employ. And by reviewing the above material this can be done.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/2011 05:05AM by rrmoderator.