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February 2, 2008 at 19:22:35
How cults create an artificial personality in their followers (and how you can do it too). by JK Ellis Page 1 of 1 page(s) |
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Cults may do this in the most dramatic way with an end result that even Jack's family members agree "This isn't the Jack I know."
The methods that cults use can be used by anyone in any group setting and can be thought of as a "Management system" or a technique of motivation. Thus there is a benefit to applying this knowledge in other areas.
ISOLATION
An obvious way a cult does this is through isolation from other social networks. The extreme of a cult does not have to be applied. If this is applied to a work setting then the stated rule is "This is work. Leave the other parts of life at the door." Likewise the person can go home and leave work at work. The result is a "work personality" and a "home personality".
ENLIST THEM IN A CAUSE
Nothing is quite so motivating than to be involved in a glorious cause. To do this make the success of the group linked to the individuals success. Make the cause lofty and ideal and progressive always on the wave of the future.
DESCRIBE FOR THEM THE QUALITIES OF A "GOOD SOLDIER"
Once you've enlisted them in a cause you can now tell them how best to serve the cause. By describing the qualities of "good soldier" you create an ideal of behavior. On the one hand it's important to point out qualities that they already have to affirm their part in the cause. But it's also important to describe qualities that they will have to work to develop. These qualities can be actual behaviors or they can values that you wish to impose on them. Either way you are holding them to an ideal and letting them know that they play a vital role in the cause.
DRILL THE "GOOD SOLDIER" INTO EXISTENCE
A cult may do this process with intense drills and exercises that emphasize the qualities and values of a good soldier. They will create scenarios and situations where these qualities can be tested and followed up with feedback and correction when needed. You can do this in a management setting much the same way. The goal is to make them WANT to bring on this new personality and do it without prompting. This is done mostly by creating a high standard and through a subtle application of rewards and punishment.
CREATE A GROUP MYTH
Nothing will solidify the new personality than getting a group of "good soldiers" together and having them work with some great purpose in mind. By getting your employee, staff, cult member involved in a group and putting them into action as a group you help create an "esprit de corp" that unifies them and helps solidify the newly created personality. Thus, find tasks that your group can do together. It could be a project, a field trip or anything where they have to work together as a group.
Every one of these tactics can be used and applied in your business and social settings.
If your response to this is to recoil at the idea of using cult strategies then stop it. These strategies are used all the time in many different setting and situations. A good manager is a person who would make a good cult leader if they choose to do it.
The benefits include highly motivated people who support the team and, when needed, can put work on hold to develop a personal life.
http://mindcontrol101.blogspot.com
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
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Jehovah's Witnesses are a cult I was one for 33 years
by Danny Haszard (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 61 comments [7 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Feb 3, 2008 at 11:34:41 AM  (0+)
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Good Soldiers Know They're Dead
At first a soldier thinks that he might survive through using all the stuff that the cult taught him. After awhile he knows that a lot of technically better soldiers than he are dead. After he realizes that it is sheer luck, he knows that he is dead. It is just the details that have to be worked out. I knew that I was dead after the Wellstones were murdered. I knew that liberals were trained to be lazy cowards, so I set off on my own. My car is covered with signs saying things like, "Bush did 911", "Crooks, Suckers, Lazy Cowards, Etc.". I have lively discussions and I blog on the net. I wish to God I was a member of some sort of a cult. I yelled "Follow Me", but everyone stayed in the trench. by John Hanks (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1762 comments [39 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Feb 3, 2008 at 11:39:54 AM (0+)
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Reply: Being a real person
(and not just a group construct) is the task we're given with life. It may be hard. It may be lonely. But it sure beats the hell out of being imaginary. Hang in there! by Laudyms (0 articles, 1142 quicklinks, 10 diaries, 708 comments [138 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Feb 3, 2008 at 3:49:39 PM (0+)
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True, but not always...
The techniques you so well describe are indeed effective, I've used them myself in forming and growing gaming Clans (groups, teams, or "guilds" of people who play some online computer game together). However, there are some ideals that are simply worthy of themselves; and "lofty" should not be a derogatory word that implies idealistic foolishness, as it has often come to represent in latter years. When these lofty ideals, such as working for Impeachment, ending the war, or major government reform are used as the rallying cry to increase awareness and gain following, they may exhibit some elements that could be accused of being "mind control"; but imo this is only because they are such powerful ideals to begin with: Strongly affecting the people who listen to them with their own self-evident truths.... Without the need of any guiding hand to reinforce them. So one should not reject the concept of using these motivational techniques in working for improving the human condition: Because it is HOW they are used that matters; in what context are they being espoused. If they are used benignly to raise awareness, to open others to new ideas, and to motivate and galvanize people into higher levels of political activism... Then this is NOT mind control at all as long as the key point here is remembered and followed: The allowing, and even welcoming, of dissenting ideas and opinions must be always maintained. This is the important difference between motivating individuals towards working for a better world, and trying to control their minds. by Steve Windisch (jibbguy) (17 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 361 comments [54 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Feb 5, 2008 at 2:03:25 PM (0+)
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Beware!
There is another name for these so called forms of "I/me". They're called spirits, as in, "I can't get in the spirit of things". As you expieriment with them, first off, I hope you have found your one true spirit. Second, don't lose it. Third, share it. There is serious lack of spiritual leadership in this world. If you're having trouble finding it, I can tell you this; it is born of passion, not manipulation. Love something or someone and you will find your spirit and nothing or no one may ever manipulate you. KNOW YOURSELF. by Keith Fisher (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 22 comments) on Thursday, Feb 7, 2008 at 8:51:25 AM (0+)
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