genetically wired so that an individual is
predisposed to express the affiliation in one way
or another.
Parental Misatunement
Parental misatunement is ubiquitous. All
parents are flawed, and they inadvertently affect
the ways in which their children will dissociate
or deny their own needs, proclivities, and self-
protection (Fosha, in press). Some other-
oriented behavior likely develops in the context
of the family.
Other possible factors that may influence the
propensity for altruism and cult involvement are
a) having grown up in an altruistic/idealistic
family or community. Individuals are often
affected by the cultural norms of the
families and peer groups they grow up in
(Harris, 1998).
b) having had early experiences of hurt and
vulnerability that lead one to project
vulnerability and innocence on others. This
factor can also make it hard to read
narcissists and sociopaths (Rosen, 2006).
c) having anxiety about competition (Rosen,
2006).
d) having giftedness, defined as having unique
intelligence and sensitivities (Rosen, 2006).
e) biological/environmental factors that
influence systemic levels of oxytocin,
testosterone, and serotonin (Zak, 2012).
f) having a genetic predisposition for
religiosity (Segal, 2012).
Some of the contextual factors for more likely
cult involvement are
a) going through a transition or experiencing a
recent loss or disappointment.
b) being raised in an isolating environment.
c) not being taught to recognize manipulation.
d) embarking on adulthood without being
given the skills to be successful/powerful in
work and love (Rosen, 2006).
e) being at a moment in development when the
drive for transcendence/group is strong.
The Draw of the Narcissistic Leader
There exist two key factors in the evolution of
group affiliation: Humans naturally organize
into us-versus-them configurations (Berreby,
2005 Haidt, 2012 Harris, 1998 &Sherif,
Harvey, White, Hood, &Sherif, 1961), and the
best groups survive. If the individual’s group is
better, stronger, more cohesive, then the
individual will be more likely to gather
resources, survive, and reproduce. If individuals
are group seeking, they are thus more likely to
be drawn to groups and leaders who appear to be
strong and sure of themselves, and who promote
superior ideals. In this context, being drawn to
narcissistic leaders is likely more the norm. The
group process of indoctrination is both
sophisticated and slow (Lalich, 2004 Lifton,
1989). Very smart and able people do not know
they are being manipulated it’s an almost
invisible affair. Thus, when group affiliation
and altruism are viewed as natural human traits,
and with the acknowledgement that narcissists
can be attractive, seductive, and interpersonally
powerful as leaders, there exists a potential
recipe for disaster: a painful combination of
human strivings and a leader who will invariably
use blame, shame, and group pressure to cement
the cohesion of the group to fulfill his
narcissistic needs. This dynamic results in
repeated betrayal traumas, which trigger potent
destabilizing nervous-system arousal and harm
the psyches and souls of members. It is more
humane and more accurate to think of this
scenario not as pathology, but as tragedy and
trauma—a natural disaster.
Phase-Oriented Therapy with Former
Members: Best Practices
If the trauma from cult involvement is about
loss, dissociation, boundary ruptures, and
betrayal, then healing impacts growth in
connection, integration, self-recovery, self-
respect, and trust. Healing is also about learning
how to live in a world of ambiguity and multiple
relationships, including group involvement. It
involves understanding layers of cultural identity
and the sense of otherness that comes with a
stigmatized experience. The most
comprehensive approach to addressing these
issues is the standard of care in the trauma field,
International Journal of Cultic Studies ■ Vol. 5, 2014 17
predisposed to express the affiliation in one way
or another.
Parental Misatunement
Parental misatunement is ubiquitous. All
parents are flawed, and they inadvertently affect
the ways in which their children will dissociate
or deny their own needs, proclivities, and self-
protection (Fosha, in press). Some other-
oriented behavior likely develops in the context
of the family.
Other possible factors that may influence the
propensity for altruism and cult involvement are
a) having grown up in an altruistic/idealistic
family or community. Individuals are often
affected by the cultural norms of the
families and peer groups they grow up in
(Harris, 1998).
b) having had early experiences of hurt and
vulnerability that lead one to project
vulnerability and innocence on others. This
factor can also make it hard to read
narcissists and sociopaths (Rosen, 2006).
c) having anxiety about competition (Rosen,
2006).
d) having giftedness, defined as having unique
intelligence and sensitivities (Rosen, 2006).
e) biological/environmental factors that
influence systemic levels of oxytocin,
testosterone, and serotonin (Zak, 2012).
f) having a genetic predisposition for
religiosity (Segal, 2012).
Some of the contextual factors for more likely
cult involvement are
a) going through a transition or experiencing a
recent loss or disappointment.
b) being raised in an isolating environment.
c) not being taught to recognize manipulation.
d) embarking on adulthood without being
given the skills to be successful/powerful in
work and love (Rosen, 2006).
e) being at a moment in development when the
drive for transcendence/group is strong.
The Draw of the Narcissistic Leader
There exist two key factors in the evolution of
group affiliation: Humans naturally organize
into us-versus-them configurations (Berreby,
2005 Haidt, 2012 Harris, 1998 &Sherif,
Harvey, White, Hood, &Sherif, 1961), and the
best groups survive. If the individual’s group is
better, stronger, more cohesive, then the
individual will be more likely to gather
resources, survive, and reproduce. If individuals
are group seeking, they are thus more likely to
be drawn to groups and leaders who appear to be
strong and sure of themselves, and who promote
superior ideals. In this context, being drawn to
narcissistic leaders is likely more the norm. The
group process of indoctrination is both
sophisticated and slow (Lalich, 2004 Lifton,
1989). Very smart and able people do not know
they are being manipulated it’s an almost
invisible affair. Thus, when group affiliation
and altruism are viewed as natural human traits,
and with the acknowledgement that narcissists
can be attractive, seductive, and interpersonally
powerful as leaders, there exists a potential
recipe for disaster: a painful combination of
human strivings and a leader who will invariably
use blame, shame, and group pressure to cement
the cohesion of the group to fulfill his
narcissistic needs. This dynamic results in
repeated betrayal traumas, which trigger potent
destabilizing nervous-system arousal and harm
the psyches and souls of members. It is more
humane and more accurate to think of this
scenario not as pathology, but as tragedy and
trauma—a natural disaster.
Phase-Oriented Therapy with Former
Members: Best Practices
If the trauma from cult involvement is about
loss, dissociation, boundary ruptures, and
betrayal, then healing impacts growth in
connection, integration, self-recovery, self-
respect, and trust. Healing is also about learning
how to live in a world of ambiguity and multiple
relationships, including group involvement. It
involves understanding layers of cultural identity
and the sense of otherness that comes with a
stigmatized experience. The most
comprehensive approach to addressing these
issues is the standard of care in the trauma field,
International Journal of Cultic Studies ■ Vol. 5, 2014 17
