28 International Journal of Cultic Studies ■ Vol. 9, 2018
Appendix
Characteristics Associated With Cultic
Groups
Characteristics Associated With Cultic
Groups−Revised
Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.
Concerted efforts at influence and control lie at
the core of cultic groups, programs, and
relationships. Many members, former members,
and supporters of cults are not fully aware of the
extent to which members may have been
manipulated, exploited, even abused. The
following list of social-structural, social-
psychological, and interpersonal behavioral
patterns commonly found in cultic environments
may be helpful in assessing a particular group or
relationship.
Compare these patterns to the situation you were
in (or in which you, a family member, or friend
is currently involved). This list may help you
determine if there is cause for concern. Bear in
mind that this list is not meant to be a “cult
scale” or a definitive checklist to determine if a
specific group is a cult. This is not so much a
diagnostic instrument as it is an analytical tool.
The group displays excessively zealous and
unquestioning commitment to its leader and
(whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief
system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as
law.
Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged
or even punished.
Mind-altering practices (such as meditation,
chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation
sessions, and debilitating work routines) are
used in excess and serve to suppress doubts
about the group and its leader(s).
The leadership dictates, sometimes in great
detail, how members should think, act, and feel
(for example, members must get permission to
date, change jobs, marry—or leaders prescribe
what types of clothes to wear, where to live,
whether or not to have children, how to
discipline children, and so forth).
The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted
status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for
example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a
special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the
leader is on a special mission to save humanity).
The group has a polarized us-versus-them
mentality, which may cause conflict with the
wider society.
The leader is not accountable to any authorities
(unlike, for example, teachers, military
commanders or ministers, priests, monks, and
rabbis of mainstream religious denominations).
The group teaches or implies that its supposedly
exalted ends justify whatever means it deems
necessary. This may result in members’
participating in behaviors or activities they
would have considered reprehensible or
unethical before joining the group (for example,
lying to family or friends, or collecting money
for bogus charities).
The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or
guilt in order to influence and/or control
members. Often, this is done through peer
pressure and subtle forms of persuasion.
Subservience to the leader or group requires
members to cut ties with family and friends, and
radically alter the personal goals and activities
they had before joining the group.
The group is preoccupied with bringing in new
members.
The group is preoccupied with making money.
Members are expected to devote inordinate
amounts of time to the group and group-related
activities.
Members are encouraged or required to live
and/or socialize only with other group members.
The most loyal members (the “true believers”)
feel there can be no life outside the context of
the group. They believe there is no other way to
be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or
others if they leave (or even consider leaving)
the group.
Note: This checklist has gone through many
revisions since the author first presented it in the
1990s. Many people have contributed
suggestions and feedback to the various
Appendix
Characteristics Associated With Cultic
Groups
Characteristics Associated With Cultic
Groups−Revised
Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.
Concerted efforts at influence and control lie at
the core of cultic groups, programs, and
relationships. Many members, former members,
and supporters of cults are not fully aware of the
extent to which members may have been
manipulated, exploited, even abused. The
following list of social-structural, social-
psychological, and interpersonal behavioral
patterns commonly found in cultic environments
may be helpful in assessing a particular group or
relationship.
Compare these patterns to the situation you were
in (or in which you, a family member, or friend
is currently involved). This list may help you
determine if there is cause for concern. Bear in
mind that this list is not meant to be a “cult
scale” or a definitive checklist to determine if a
specific group is a cult. This is not so much a
diagnostic instrument as it is an analytical tool.
The group displays excessively zealous and
unquestioning commitment to its leader and
(whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief
system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as
law.
Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged
or even punished.
Mind-altering practices (such as meditation,
chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation
sessions, and debilitating work routines) are
used in excess and serve to suppress doubts
about the group and its leader(s).
The leadership dictates, sometimes in great
detail, how members should think, act, and feel
(for example, members must get permission to
date, change jobs, marry—or leaders prescribe
what types of clothes to wear, where to live,
whether or not to have children, how to
discipline children, and so forth).
The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted
status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for
example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a
special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the
leader is on a special mission to save humanity).
The group has a polarized us-versus-them
mentality, which may cause conflict with the
wider society.
The leader is not accountable to any authorities
(unlike, for example, teachers, military
commanders or ministers, priests, monks, and
rabbis of mainstream religious denominations).
The group teaches or implies that its supposedly
exalted ends justify whatever means it deems
necessary. This may result in members’
participating in behaviors or activities they
would have considered reprehensible or
unethical before joining the group (for example,
lying to family or friends, or collecting money
for bogus charities).
The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or
guilt in order to influence and/or control
members. Often, this is done through peer
pressure and subtle forms of persuasion.
Subservience to the leader or group requires
members to cut ties with family and friends, and
radically alter the personal goals and activities
they had before joining the group.
The group is preoccupied with bringing in new
members.
The group is preoccupied with making money.
Members are expected to devote inordinate
amounts of time to the group and group-related
activities.
Members are encouraged or required to live
and/or socialize only with other group members.
The most loyal members (the “true believers”)
feel there can be no life outside the context of
the group. They believe there is no other way to
be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or
others if they leave (or even consider leaving)
the group.
Note: This checklist has gone through many
revisions since the author first presented it in the
1990s. Many people have contributed
suggestions and feedback to the various
