Cultic Studies Journal, Volume 17, 2000, Page 144
manipulativeness. One of their key talents is social insight, their ability to read their
audience. Combined with the other traits, this talent makes them potentially very powerful.
He also describes a five-stage ―natural history‖ of the prophet that begins with early
narcissism. In the second stage, ―incubation,‖ the individual‘s ―differentness‖ from others
becomes apparent and is tested. Next comes an ―awakening‖ or visionary experience which
leads to the fourth stage – a sense of mission. This is the point at which the public tends to
become aware of the prophet and his followers. The final stage is the one in which the
charismatic prophet declines or falls. Drawing primarily on Kohut‘s work, Oakes portrays, in
the course of several chapters, the development of the narcissist who becomes a
charismatic leader. Leaders of a number of the small New Zealand cults, as well as some
more familiar to American readers, serve as examples of Oakes‘ thesis.
He also discusses the cult followers and how their needs are met as they become part of the
group. Many questions are asked of new members, and their self-disclosures tie them more
closely to those already committed to the leader. Later on, then new members are
themselves committed to the leader, they have to continue trusting him even when flaws
are revealed so as to justify all that has been given up from their previous lives – family,
independence, and personal goals.
Oakes also provides a list of characteristics that differentiate messianic and charismatic
leaders. Two of the more significant are 1) that messianic leaders tend to be regarded as
highly consistent, whereas charismatic leaders are more likely to be inconsistent, and 2)
"For the messianic the highest ethic concerns notions of truth and duty, whereas the
charismatic'‘ highest ethic is expressed in terms of freedom and love"‖(p. 184).
Oakes has presented an informed and informative narrative about cult followers as well as
their charismatic leaders. Even if the reader disagrees with some of the points made, Oakes
has provided much food for thought about cults. His book is worth reading.
Lita Linzer Schwartz, Ph.D.
Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Educational Psychology
Pennsylvania State University, Ogontz
Multiple Personality Disorder from the Inside Out. Barry M. Cohen, Esther
Giller, &W. Lynn, Sidran Press, 1991, 245 pages.
Perhaps one of the greatest debates among psychologists in the 1990s revolved around the
diagnosis of Multiple Personality Disorder (or Dissociative Identity Disorder in the DSM IV).
While some believe that this disorder is caused in part by a history of severe abuse, others
believe that this disorder is extremely rare, if it even exists, and that the surge in purported
numbers with MPD is the result of well-meaning but naïve therapists who have unscientific
beliefs.
Whichever side you are on will greatly influence how you will feel about Multiple Personality
Disorder from the Inside Out. There is no debate launched in this book. Hence, it is best for
believers only, or perhaps those who are open to the possibility that MPD is common
enough to warrant a collection of writings by and for those with the diagnosis. Since it is
clear that any bias on the part of the reviewer will influence one‘s judgment about the book,
I will try to remain neutral and assess the book in light of the goals stated by its editors.
The introduction includes a section called ―How to use this book.‖ To paraphrase the book‘s
purposes, it is meant as an educational tool for clinicians and families of those with the
diagnosis of MPD. For survivors, it is meant to validate their experiences by providing a
variety of essays, poems, and vignettes about various aspects of living with this diagnosis.
manipulativeness. One of their key talents is social insight, their ability to read their
audience. Combined with the other traits, this talent makes them potentially very powerful.
He also describes a five-stage ―natural history‖ of the prophet that begins with early
narcissism. In the second stage, ―incubation,‖ the individual‘s ―differentness‖ from others
becomes apparent and is tested. Next comes an ―awakening‖ or visionary experience which
leads to the fourth stage – a sense of mission. This is the point at which the public tends to
become aware of the prophet and his followers. The final stage is the one in which the
charismatic prophet declines or falls. Drawing primarily on Kohut‘s work, Oakes portrays, in
the course of several chapters, the development of the narcissist who becomes a
charismatic leader. Leaders of a number of the small New Zealand cults, as well as some
more familiar to American readers, serve as examples of Oakes‘ thesis.
He also discusses the cult followers and how their needs are met as they become part of the
group. Many questions are asked of new members, and their self-disclosures tie them more
closely to those already committed to the leader. Later on, then new members are
themselves committed to the leader, they have to continue trusting him even when flaws
are revealed so as to justify all that has been given up from their previous lives – family,
independence, and personal goals.
Oakes also provides a list of characteristics that differentiate messianic and charismatic
leaders. Two of the more significant are 1) that messianic leaders tend to be regarded as
highly consistent, whereas charismatic leaders are more likely to be inconsistent, and 2)
"For the messianic the highest ethic concerns notions of truth and duty, whereas the
charismatic'‘ highest ethic is expressed in terms of freedom and love"‖(p. 184).
Oakes has presented an informed and informative narrative about cult followers as well as
their charismatic leaders. Even if the reader disagrees with some of the points made, Oakes
has provided much food for thought about cults. His book is worth reading.
Lita Linzer Schwartz, Ph.D.
Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Educational Psychology
Pennsylvania State University, Ogontz
Multiple Personality Disorder from the Inside Out. Barry M. Cohen, Esther
Giller, &W. Lynn, Sidran Press, 1991, 245 pages.
Perhaps one of the greatest debates among psychologists in the 1990s revolved around the
diagnosis of Multiple Personality Disorder (or Dissociative Identity Disorder in the DSM IV).
While some believe that this disorder is caused in part by a history of severe abuse, others
believe that this disorder is extremely rare, if it even exists, and that the surge in purported
numbers with MPD is the result of well-meaning but naïve therapists who have unscientific
beliefs.
Whichever side you are on will greatly influence how you will feel about Multiple Personality
Disorder from the Inside Out. There is no debate launched in this book. Hence, it is best for
believers only, or perhaps those who are open to the possibility that MPD is common
enough to warrant a collection of writings by and for those with the diagnosis. Since it is
clear that any bias on the part of the reviewer will influence one‘s judgment about the book,
I will try to remain neutral and assess the book in light of the goals stated by its editors.
The introduction includes a section called ―How to use this book.‖ To paraphrase the book‘s
purposes, it is meant as an educational tool for clinicians and families of those with the
diagnosis of MPD. For survivors, it is meant to validate their experiences by providing a
variety of essays, poems, and vignettes about various aspects of living with this diagnosis.
