The reasons for linking to coercive sects.

Abstract

This work aims to evaluate the process of involvement of a person to a psychologically manipulative group (GMP) or coercive cult. Several questionnaires were administered to 101 Spanish self-identified former members of diverse GMP, 38 former members of non-cultic groups, and 24 participants who responded as if they had been a member of a GMP. Results showed that in most cases the involvement aroused gradually. Former cult members judged the manipulative behaviors of the groups, and their own search for ideals and personal development as the most deciding factors in their involvements. They also reported about other practices of psychological abuse in their past groups. There was no evidence that former cult member’s reports could have been influenced by neither social desirability, debasement nor a lack of disclosure, as measured by the validity indices of the MCMI-II.