Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 11, No. 1, 1994, Page 68
GPA subscales than did the IVCF. These results are encouraging and represent important
steps in the establishment of discriminant validity. Additional studies of this nature will be
conducted.
Many applications of the GPA scales may be envisioned. As a standardized objective
instrument, the GPA would lend considerable clarity to legal, philosophical, and psychological
debates concerning the extent and manner of the abuse inflicted by cultic groups. Do therapy
cults differ from religious cults in their emphasis on mind control? Do women report abuse in
cults differently than men do? Do former members alter their ratings if they have participated
in an exit counseling session? How do the ratings by former members compare with those of
cult leaders, apologists, exit counselors, parents, and others? Does the convergence of former
members‟ views with their parents‟ views of the group herald the reintegration of the family?
Are there groups (academic, corporate, religious, professional) that would not ordinarily be
considered cultic but that score high on one or more of the subscales? Could the GPA be used
to monitor the transformation of an innocuous group into a cult or of a cult into an innocuous
group? Literally hundreds of questions could be answered using the GPA or a similar scale.
For now it is important that validation research with the GPA continue before the scale is used
to make any conclusive judgments. More construct validity studies should be performed. The
GPA factors should be cross-validated with different samples of subjects, including panels of
experts. The sample used in this study must be broadened to include more ex-members
outside the countercult network, current cultists, and members and former members of
noncultic groups. It may be necessary to improve some of the items in order to simplify the
factor structure. Test-retest reliability should be examined. Norms should eventually be
gathered.
The good news is that all of these steps toward validation are well-established procedures. It
will take some work, but the fruits will be worth the labor. We will come to a more systematic
understanding of the psychological abuse in cults. These possibilities more than warrant the
investment of additional research with the GPA scales.
References
Adams, D. (1993). The Cincinnati Church of Christ: How former members rate the group on
the cultism scale. Unpublished master‟s thesis, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH.
Craig, N. W., &Weathers, R. (1990). The false transformational promise of Bible-based cults:
Archetypal dynamics. Cultic Studies Journal, 7(2), 160-173.
Dole, A., &Dubrow-Eichel, S. (1985). Some new religions are dangerous. Cultic Studies
Journal, 2, 17-30.
Ghiselli, E. E., Campbell, J. P., &Zedeck, S. (1981). Measurement theory for the behavioral
sciences. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman.
Gorsuch, R. L. (1983). Factor analysis. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
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Langone, M. D., &Chambers, W. V. (1991). Outreach to ex-cult members: The question of
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Appendix A: GPA Scale
This inventory is designed to evaluate certain aspects of religious, psychotherapeutic, political,
commercial, and other groups. Please rate, as best you can, the degree to which the following
statements characterize the group under consideration. Rate each item according to your
experience and observations (in retrospect) of how the group actually functioned. If your
group had different levels of membership (within which the group‟s dominant features
differed), please apply the ratings to the level with which you have greatest familiarity. Circle
the best answer, using the following ratings:
1 =not at all characteristic
2 =not characteristic
3 =can‟t say/not sure
4 =characteristic
5 =very characteristic
1.[R] The group does not tell members how to conduct their sex lives.
1 2 3 4 5
2. Women are directed to use their bodies for the purpose of recruiting or of manipulation.
1 2 3 4 5
3. The group advocates or implies that breaking the law is okay if it serves the interests of
the group.
1 2 3 4 5
4. Members are expected to postpone or give up their personal, vocational, and educational
goals in order to work for the group.
1 2 3 4 5
5.[R] The group encourages ill members to get medical assistance.
1 2 3 4 5