High Control Groups (Cults 101)

Charismatic Groups

members have a shared belief system, sustain a high level of social cohesiveness, are strongly influenced by the group’s behavioral norms, and impute charismatic (or sometimes divine) power to the group or its leadership. IN a charismatic group, commitments can be elicited by relative strangers in a way rarely seen in other groups

Cults

groups that are centered on an ideology, led by a charismatic leader who dominate the thoughts and daily activities of its members for the betterment of the group or of the leader

• ideology of cults can focus on anything, not necessarily based upon religion

High Demand Groups

cult-like organizations for which the cost of participation and continued community is high in terms of labor, action, self improvement, discipline or restriction

Militarized Subcultures

not necessarily “cult-ish” as they may have a loose authority structure if any at all

• shared ideologies, movement, motivation

• no leader

• readiness for violence

• often online’ no compound

• “incels” - male dominated group online