Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1, 1989, Page 18
influences. The influence techniques used by these groups to advance their own ends
cannot be adequately studied in the laboratory without violating professional canons of
ethics. We must, therefore, study them in the field. To do so successfully, we must
develop participant-observation methodologies that are more sensitive to psychological
subtleties than are the methods of sociologists and anthropologists.
Psychologists should also pay more attention to exploring how individuals can resist
manipulative influences. Andersen and Zimbardo (1984) have applied findings from social
psychology to this question. But further study is called for, and practical curricula should be
developed to teach young people how to maintain a critical autonomy in a world bent on
influencing them to do things that are not always in their own best interests.
Lastly, the American Psychological Association and other professional groups should
thoroughly explore the ethical implications of the potent and ethically dubious psychological
techniques employed with increasing frequency by mental health professionals and, more
importantly, by untrained nonprofessionals. Although this is a controversial subject in which
competent and ethical professionals may, at least for now, disagree strongly, we neglect our
duty to the public if we avoid studying, discussing, and even disputing the topic. We do not
need consensus in order to improve understanding. But we do need a commitment not to
shove the subject under the rug.
References
American Psychological Association. (1981). Ethical principles for psychologists.
Washington, (DC): American Psychological Association.
American Psychological Association. (1987). General guidelines for providers of
psychological services. Washington (D.C.): American Psychological Association.
Andersen, S., &Zimbardo, P. (1984). On resisting social influence. Cultic Studies Journal,
1, 196-219.
Corsini, R. (1973). Current psychotherapies. Itasca (IL): S. E. Peacock.
Temerlin, J., &Temerlin, M. (1986). Some hazards of the therapeutic relationship. Cultic
Studies Journal, 3, 234-242.
Tymchuk, A.J., Drapkin, R., Major-Kingsley, S., Ackerman, A.B., Coffman, E.W., &Baum,
M.S. (1982). Professional Psychology, 13, 412-421.
***********
Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.•, Editor of the Cultic Studies Journal, is Director of Research and
Education for the American Family Foundation. This paper was originally presented as part
of a symposium on coercive psychological influence at the American Psychological
Association‟s Annual Meeting, August 1989.
This article is an electronic version of an article originally published in Cultic Studies Journal, 1989, Volume 6,
Number 1, pages 16-24 Please keep in mind that the pagination of this electronic reprint differs from that of the
bound volume. This fact could affect how you enter bibliographic information in papers that you may write.
influences. The influence techniques used by these groups to advance their own ends
cannot be adequately studied in the laboratory without violating professional canons of
ethics. We must, therefore, study them in the field. To do so successfully, we must
develop participant-observation methodologies that are more sensitive to psychological
subtleties than are the methods of sociologists and anthropologists.
Psychologists should also pay more attention to exploring how individuals can resist
manipulative influences. Andersen and Zimbardo (1984) have applied findings from social
psychology to this question. But further study is called for, and practical curricula should be
developed to teach young people how to maintain a critical autonomy in a world bent on
influencing them to do things that are not always in their own best interests.
Lastly, the American Psychological Association and other professional groups should
thoroughly explore the ethical implications of the potent and ethically dubious psychological
techniques employed with increasing frequency by mental health professionals and, more
importantly, by untrained nonprofessionals. Although this is a controversial subject in which
competent and ethical professionals may, at least for now, disagree strongly, we neglect our
duty to the public if we avoid studying, discussing, and even disputing the topic. We do not
need consensus in order to improve understanding. But we do need a commitment not to
shove the subject under the rug.
References
American Psychological Association. (1981). Ethical principles for psychologists.
Washington, (DC): American Psychological Association.
American Psychological Association. (1987). General guidelines for providers of
psychological services. Washington (D.C.): American Psychological Association.
Andersen, S., &Zimbardo, P. (1984). On resisting social influence. Cultic Studies Journal,
1, 196-219.
Corsini, R. (1973). Current psychotherapies. Itasca (IL): S. E. Peacock.
Temerlin, J., &Temerlin, M. (1986). Some hazards of the therapeutic relationship. Cultic
Studies Journal, 3, 234-242.
Tymchuk, A.J., Drapkin, R., Major-Kingsley, S., Ackerman, A.B., Coffman, E.W., &Baum,
M.S. (1982). Professional Psychology, 13, 412-421.
***********
Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.•, Editor of the Cultic Studies Journal, is Director of Research and
Education for the American Family Foundation. This paper was originally presented as part
of a symposium on coercive psychological influence at the American Psychological
Association‟s Annual Meeting, August 1989.
This article is an electronic version of an article originally published in Cultic Studies Journal, 1989, Volume 6,
Number 1, pages 16-24 Please keep in mind that the pagination of this electronic reprint differs from that of the
bound volume. This fact could affect how you enter bibliographic information in papers that you may write.
