an exposé of gurus, personal development courses and cults, and how they operate in Australia /
First Statement of Responsibility
Louise Samways.
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Place of Publication, Distribution, etc.
New York :
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
Penguin,
Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.
1994.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Specific Material Designation and Extent of Item
xi, 148 pages ;
Dimensions
20 cm
GENERAL NOTES
Text of Note
"A Penguin original."
INTERNAL BIBLIOGRAPHIES/INDEXES NOTE
Text of Note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 140-144) and index.
CONTENTS NOTE
Text of Note
Preface -- Introduction -- One. The techniques groups use -- Two. Groups that can harm -- Cults -- Personal development courses -- Individuals -- Multi-level marketing -- Fundamentalists -- Three. How beliefs are manipulated -- Recruitment -- Commitment -- Guilt -- Changing level of arousal -- Use of language and body cues -- Dependency -- Confessionals and secrets -- Distraction -- Rituals -- Rejection -- Four. Who is vulnerable? -- Five. Case histories -- Six. Protecting yourself -- Accountability -- Appropriateness of qualifications -- Informed consent -- Questions to ask -- Consulting health professionals -- Seven. Getting help -- Local resources -- "Cult aware" -- Health professionals -- Eight. Whom can you complain to? -- Nine. Conclusion -- Helpful organisations.
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SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
"How do cults gain recruits? Why do so many people seeking personal development find themselves becoming dependent on a powerful organisation? Are there any legal restraints on how groups recruit members? How dangerous are cults and personal development courses? Louise Samways, a practising psychologist, explains what cults and personal development courses are, how they operate, and the mind-control techniques they use on recruits. She describes how these types of organisations ensure their message is continually reinforced, and how people become unable to question the group's demands or to break away from it. Louise Samways offers practical help and advice to the victims and their families. She also provides information about organisations that are involved in releasing members from the grip of cults, and that provide support for the families. She alerts readers about how approaches are made, and suggests strategies for avoiding them. Cult members may be recruiting in your workplace, your social club, your school. This book will help you to recognise and resist their dangerous persuasion." -- book cover.