Maximized Living Cult Exposure looks at the characteristics of a cult so we can understand and expose a cult when we come across one. When Maximized Living Cult Exposure researched the issue we found that the word “cult” did not always have negative connotations. The negative meaning was popularized in the 1980s.
In addition, Maximized Living Cult Exposure also learned that not everyone believes in the idea of post-cult trauma.
The word cult has negative connotations and refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. Originally the word cult denoted a system of ritual practices. That meaning changed over time, especially in the 1980s as a result of the anti-cult movement. Today, the word usually refers to a group seen as authoritarian, exploitative and believed to use dangerous rituals or mind control.
Cults offer potential for harm.
Marc Segman said, “When you buy into something that seems to explain everything, you can soon be coaxed into doing almost anything.”
Benjamin Zablocki, a professor of Sociology at Rutgers University, believes groups characterized as cults are at high risk of becoming abusive to members. He attributes that in part to members’ adulation of charismatic leaders allowing the leaders to become corrupted by power. The most common accusation made against cult groups is sexual abuse. Another complaint is that groups are risky when they advise their members against the use of regular medical care.
Conversion
It has been said that people join cults primarily because of how they view a particular group. They join for fulfillment of subconscious psychological needs. Or they join because of the group’s influence through forms of psychological manipulation.
According to experts, people typically joint a cult in search of community and a spiritual quest.
Leaving can be difficult
Popular authors Siegelman and Conway conducted a survey regarding the after-cult effects of deprogramming. Their findings were published it in the book Snapping. They concluded that people who were deprogrammed had fewer problems than those not deprogrammed. The BBC writes that, “in a survey conducted by Jill Mytton on 200 former cult members, most reported problems adjusting to society and about a third would benefit from some counseling”.
In a study comparing Group Psychological Abuse Scale (GPA) and Neurological Impairment Scale (NIS) scores for 132 former cult members, Ronald Burks found a positive correlation between the intensity of reform environment as measured by the GPA and cognitive impairment measured by the NIS. Additional findings show reduced earning potential and significant levels of depression and dissociation.
Not everyone believes in the consequences of being a cult member. Contrarians state the fact that an overwhelming proportion of people who get involved in cults leave, most after less than two years. And, those who leave do so of their own volition and feel wiser for the experience.
According to J. van der Lans and F. Derks, there is no uniform post-cult trauma. It is common to experience psychological and social problems upon leaving a cult, but their character and intensity depend greatly on the personal history and personality traits of the ex-member, as well as on how and why they left.