Dear Friends,
In 1999 I presented a paper at a CESNUR (a scholarly organization whose members many see as cult
apologists) conference entitled “Can Scientists Be Deceived? Empirical Evidence From Social Psychology
and History” (the paper is available through ICSA). The quick answer to my question: Of course they/we
can. Magician-turned-paranormal debunker James “The Amazing” Randi has made a career, and achieved
considerable fame, proving just how easy it can be to fool some of the world’s most prominent scientists.
In my paper, my favorite example was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the inventor of Sherlock Holmes, literature’s
most famous detective, who relied entirely on his intellect, reason, and scientific acumen. Yet Doyle was
completely hoodwinked by a pair of young girls who claimed to possess photographic evidence proving the
existence of fairies.
In this issue of ICSA Today, I am delighted to introduce three very timely articles from the extended ICSA
community. Their authors make solid arguments supporting the contention that at the heart of cultic
dynamics and relationships are well-known, well-researched, and well-documented techniques of deception
and coercive persuasion.
Many consider social psychologist Dr. Robert Cialdini one of the greatest academic experts on the art and
science of persuasion. You know those cards you find in hotels, urging you to join with others concerned
about the environment simply by reusing bathroom towels? By not having towels laundered after every
single use, hotel launderers use less water and detergent, thereby causing less harm to the environment
(while, not inconsequently, helping the hotel’s bottom line). That approach is partly Cialdini’s work.
(Specifically, Cialdini and his colleagues added the “join with others concerned about the environment”
component, which resulted in a 33 percent increase in towel-reuse participation.) Cialdini is also credited for
turning around Bose’s flailing advertising campaign for its Wave [audio] System, and he was a major advisor
to the surprisingly strong Bernie Sanders presidential campaign.
In Catherine Moestue’s fascinating and revealing interview of Dr. Cialdini, the psychologist reiterates the
importance of the “Six Principles of Influence” and notes that cultic groups (and terrorist cults) differ from
everyday persuasion primarily in the intensity of their use of these common techniques of influence. Fans
of Ciadlini’s seminal work, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, will enjoy this excellent condensation of
its most cult-relevant points. In addition, Moestue questions Cialdini about the ethical and unethical use of
his principles of influence, with the fascinating and disturbing revelation that consumer groups have not
caught onto his research. ..but corporations have.
ICSA Executive Director Dr. Michael Langone’s paper is based on his 2015 presentation to the World
Parliament of Religions in Salt Lake City, Utah (an interesting choice of location). He draws the important
distinction between treating people as objects important to an ideological cause rather than as subjects
worthy of respect and independence. Langone also discusses the use and abuse of power (which dovetails
with Cialdini’s principle of authority), and especially the importance of tolerating dissent and having
somewhat open group boundaries.
In his review of Institutionalized Persuasion: The Technology of Reformation in Straight Incorporated and the
Residential Teen Treatment Industry, Dr. Ron Burks, a cult specialist and therapist perhaps best known for his
vital role in the success of the Wellspring Retreat Center, provides a bridge between Langone’s article and
Cialdini’s interview. He examines Straight Incorporated and similar treatment and boot-camp programs
for misbehaving adolescents (some of whom may—or may not—be compulsive drug abusers) that have
been accused by critics of using thought-reform techniques, among other abuses. Some ICSA Today readers
may be familiar with journalist Maia Szlalavitz’s groundbreaking book on the same subject, Help at Any
Cost. Author Marcus Chatfield, perhaps dovetailing a bit on Szlalavitz’s reporting, traces the origins of
Straight Incorporated back to the therapy cult Synanon and further documents Straight’s troubling political
connections. A scary read, no doubt.
So get that fireplace roaring, pour a glass of your favorite beverage, and sit back and enjoy this extraordinary
issue of ICSA Today.
Sincerely,
Steve Eichel
About ICSA Today
ICSA Today (IT) serves ICSA members by
providing information that enhances
understanding of all aspects of the cult
phenomenon, including how groups
function, how they affect members,
techniques of influence, dealing with
harmful effects, educational and legal
implications, and other subjects.
ICSA Today issues may include
• practical articles for former
members, families, helping
professionals, researchers,
and others
• opinion essays
• theoretical articles
• reports on research
• summaries of news reports on
groups
• information on books, articles, links
• information on ICSA members
• biographical profiles on selected
members
• personal accounts
• art work
• poetry
• short stories and other literary
articles
• special reports from correspondents
around the world
ICSA Today is published three times a
year.
Regular ICSA members receive the print
edition of ICSA Today and have access
to its Web edition. Students and other
special members gain access to the
online edition only.
Nonmember print subscriptions are
available. Submissions to the magazine
should be sent to the Editor-in-Chief,
Michael Langone, PhD:
mail@icsamail.com
We prefer Microsoft Word or a program
compatible with Word. Articles should
be no more than 2,500 words. Please
include a jpeg photo (less than 150 KB)
and biographical sketch (less than 150
words) with your submission.
Appropriate submissions are reviewed
by the relevant section editor and,
when appropriate, editorial review
advisors.
International Cultic Studies Association
P.O. Box 2265 • Bonita Springs, FL 34133
Phone: 239.514.3081
Email: mail@icsamail.com
Website: icsahome.com
Steve K. D. Eichel, PhD, ABPP, CST, ICSA President, is Past-President of the
American Academy of Counseling Psychology and the Greater Philadelphia Society
of Clinical Hypnosis. He is a licensed and Board-certified counseling psychologist and
certified sex therapist whose involvement in cultic studies began with a participant-
observation study of Unification Church training in its Eastern seminary (in Barrytown,
NY) in the spring of 1975. He was honored with AFF’s 1990 John G. Clark Award for
Distinguished Scholarship in Cultic Studies for his doctoral thesis on deprogramming,
which has been translated into several foreign languages. He was also honored with 2016’s Herb Rosedale
Award. He has been long associated with RETIRN, the Re-Entry Therapy, Information &Referral Network,
one of the field’s oldest continuing private providers of psychological services to families and individuals
harmed by cultic practices. Dr. Eichel is active in a range of professional associations. He has coauthored
several articles and book reviews on cult-related topics for the CSJ/CSR. n
In 1999 I presented a paper at a CESNUR (a scholarly organization whose members many see as cult
apologists) conference entitled “Can Scientists Be Deceived? Empirical Evidence From Social Psychology
and History” (the paper is available through ICSA). The quick answer to my question: Of course they/we
can. Magician-turned-paranormal debunker James “The Amazing” Randi has made a career, and achieved
considerable fame, proving just how easy it can be to fool some of the world’s most prominent scientists.
In my paper, my favorite example was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the inventor of Sherlock Holmes, literature’s
most famous detective, who relied entirely on his intellect, reason, and scientific acumen. Yet Doyle was
completely hoodwinked by a pair of young girls who claimed to possess photographic evidence proving the
existence of fairies.
In this issue of ICSA Today, I am delighted to introduce three very timely articles from the extended ICSA
community. Their authors make solid arguments supporting the contention that at the heart of cultic
dynamics and relationships are well-known, well-researched, and well-documented techniques of deception
and coercive persuasion.
Many consider social psychologist Dr. Robert Cialdini one of the greatest academic experts on the art and
science of persuasion. You know those cards you find in hotels, urging you to join with others concerned
about the environment simply by reusing bathroom towels? By not having towels laundered after every
single use, hotel launderers use less water and detergent, thereby causing less harm to the environment
(while, not inconsequently, helping the hotel’s bottom line). That approach is partly Cialdini’s work.
(Specifically, Cialdini and his colleagues added the “join with others concerned about the environment”
component, which resulted in a 33 percent increase in towel-reuse participation.) Cialdini is also credited for
turning around Bose’s flailing advertising campaign for its Wave [audio] System, and he was a major advisor
to the surprisingly strong Bernie Sanders presidential campaign.
In Catherine Moestue’s fascinating and revealing interview of Dr. Cialdini, the psychologist reiterates the
importance of the “Six Principles of Influence” and notes that cultic groups (and terrorist cults) differ from
everyday persuasion primarily in the intensity of their use of these common techniques of influence. Fans
of Ciadlini’s seminal work, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, will enjoy this excellent condensation of
its most cult-relevant points. In addition, Moestue questions Cialdini about the ethical and unethical use of
his principles of influence, with the fascinating and disturbing revelation that consumer groups have not
caught onto his research. ..but corporations have.
ICSA Executive Director Dr. Michael Langone’s paper is based on his 2015 presentation to the World
Parliament of Religions in Salt Lake City, Utah (an interesting choice of location). He draws the important
distinction between treating people as objects important to an ideological cause rather than as subjects
worthy of respect and independence. Langone also discusses the use and abuse of power (which dovetails
with Cialdini’s principle of authority), and especially the importance of tolerating dissent and having
somewhat open group boundaries.
In his review of Institutionalized Persuasion: The Technology of Reformation in Straight Incorporated and the
Residential Teen Treatment Industry, Dr. Ron Burks, a cult specialist and therapist perhaps best known for his
vital role in the success of the Wellspring Retreat Center, provides a bridge between Langone’s article and
Cialdini’s interview. He examines Straight Incorporated and similar treatment and boot-camp programs
for misbehaving adolescents (some of whom may—or may not—be compulsive drug abusers) that have
been accused by critics of using thought-reform techniques, among other abuses. Some ICSA Today readers
may be familiar with journalist Maia Szlalavitz’s groundbreaking book on the same subject, Help at Any
Cost. Author Marcus Chatfield, perhaps dovetailing a bit on Szlalavitz’s reporting, traces the origins of
Straight Incorporated back to the therapy cult Synanon and further documents Straight’s troubling political
connections. A scary read, no doubt.
So get that fireplace roaring, pour a glass of your favorite beverage, and sit back and enjoy this extraordinary
issue of ICSA Today.
Sincerely,
Steve Eichel
About ICSA Today
ICSA Today (IT) serves ICSA members by
providing information that enhances
understanding of all aspects of the cult
phenomenon, including how groups
function, how they affect members,
techniques of influence, dealing with
harmful effects, educational and legal
implications, and other subjects.
ICSA Today issues may include
• practical articles for former
members, families, helping
professionals, researchers,
and others
• opinion essays
• theoretical articles
• reports on research
• summaries of news reports on
groups
• information on books, articles, links
• information on ICSA members
• biographical profiles on selected
members
• personal accounts
• art work
• poetry
• short stories and other literary
articles
• special reports from correspondents
around the world
ICSA Today is published three times a
year.
Regular ICSA members receive the print
edition of ICSA Today and have access
to its Web edition. Students and other
special members gain access to the
online edition only.
Nonmember print subscriptions are
available. Submissions to the magazine
should be sent to the Editor-in-Chief,
Michael Langone, PhD:
mail@icsamail.com
We prefer Microsoft Word or a program
compatible with Word. Articles should
be no more than 2,500 words. Please
include a jpeg photo (less than 150 KB)
and biographical sketch (less than 150
words) with your submission.
Appropriate submissions are reviewed
by the relevant section editor and,
when appropriate, editorial review
advisors.
International Cultic Studies Association
P.O. Box 2265 • Bonita Springs, FL 34133
Phone: 239.514.3081
Email: mail@icsamail.com
Website: icsahome.com
Steve K. D. Eichel, PhD, ABPP, CST, ICSA President, is Past-President of the
American Academy of Counseling Psychology and the Greater Philadelphia Society
of Clinical Hypnosis. He is a licensed and Board-certified counseling psychologist and
certified sex therapist whose involvement in cultic studies began with a participant-
observation study of Unification Church training in its Eastern seminary (in Barrytown,
NY) in the spring of 1975. He was honored with AFF’s 1990 John G. Clark Award for
Distinguished Scholarship in Cultic Studies for his doctoral thesis on deprogramming,
which has been translated into several foreign languages. He was also honored with 2016’s Herb Rosedale
Award. He has been long associated with RETIRN, the Re-Entry Therapy, Information &Referral Network,
one of the field’s oldest continuing private providers of psychological services to families and individuals
harmed by cultic practices. Dr. Eichel is active in a range of professional associations. He has coauthored
several articles and book reviews on cult-related topics for the CSJ/CSR. n
