Cults and Cult Behavior

In spite of external pressures on them to conform to conventional social norms, many different groups in society that exist on the fringe of mainstream society choose to follow an alternative lifestyle and adopt untraditional values. While some members of the general public tolerate their existence, others express covert or even hostility towards them through threats or physical crimes. The marginalized groups that will be considered in this paper include cults, communes, along with the gay and lesbian population. More specifically, the underlying reasons for the formation of these social groups and society's attitudes towards them will be discussed.

The analysis of these types of marginalized groups illuminates a common theme for their emergence: the discrepancy between their values and practices and those of mainstream society. This statement will be further analyzed within the context of three different groups: cults, communes and the gay population. Led by charismatic leaders with their own unique teachings, cults are characterized by their complete immersion of their members into their activities, values and beliefs. Within this authoritarian structure, members are required to renounce their individuality and attachments to past behavior by conforming strictly to the dictates of the cult leaders and the rules. Although they may come from all walks of life, cult members become drawn to the teachings and practices of charismatic leaders when they become disill

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Category: Psychology - C