Part 1 Characteristics of Cults – Real World Scenario

This Real World Scenario project will focus on Cults.  Pay special attention to the language used to create cults.  Also consider the role of individuals in cults, both as leaders and as followers, and how they carefully choose how to communicate their message to others.

This project consists of 4 parts:

• Part 1 Characteristics of Cults written assignment

WHAT TO DO: Watch the following two videos and research an article that describes the identifying characteristics of cults in general:

Video 1 The video “Why do people join cults?” is an introduction to cults and how they affect the mental processes and social behavior of their members. This is a TEDEd video was posted on YouTube, June 12, 2017; 6:26 minutes

video 2 The host of SciShow Psych discusses what cults are and why people join them titled “Why Do People Join Cults?”. She argues that anyone is susceptible to becoming part of a cult. This SciShow Psych video was posted on YouTube, Sept. 27, 2018; 4:46 minute

Article You need to research an article that describes the general characteristics of a cult. The article should be available online and relevant to this assignment. For more guidelines on how to evaluate resources, https://guides.lib.berkeley.edu/evaluating-resourc…

WHAT TO TURN IN:  A written analysis of both videos and your research article. Please answer ALL of the questions below. Write out both the question AND the answer; 

your answer should start on a NEW LINE following the question. The TOTAL number of words in your ANSWERS ONLY will count toward the 250 word minimum; to be clear, your ANSWERS to the questions for Video 1 plus Video 2 plus the Research Article COMBINED should be at least 250 words or more.  This is an individual assignment.

Questions to answer Video 1:
Are all cults religious cults? Explain your answer. If not, what other types of cults are there? Give at least 2 examples.
What is the definition of a cult, according to the Janja Lalich video?
Discuss at least 4 basic characteristics of cults as described in the Lalich video.
Explain at least 3 ways in which cults are DIFFERENT from religions.

Questions to answer Video 2:
What are some identifying elements of a cult as discussed in the SciShow Psych video? Describe at least 3 identifying elements.
Name 3 reasons why people join cults that ALSO overlap with totally NORMAL psychological phenomena. Explain your answer.
Discuss at least 4 reasons why people might join a cult.
According to a 2007 study, what is the MOST IMPORTANT factor in joining a cult?
Explain at least 2 techniques used to persuade people to stay in a cult.
Discuss at least 2 barriers that discourage people from leaving a cult.
Questions to answer Research Article:
Analyze at least 3 defining elements of cults according to your article.
Please turn in the following for Part 1, Characteristics of Cults: