What are the characteristics of a destructive “cult” or group?
Margaret Singer, a noted clinical psychologist and emeritus adjunct professor at the University of California, Berkeley, has counseled and/or interviewed thousands of people affected by controversial groups often called “cults”. Ms. Singer offers meaningful definitions of unsafe groups or “cults” in her book Cults in our Midst. According to Singer, unsafe groups or cults can generally be defined by three factors: 1. The origin of the group and role of the leader. 2. The power structure, or relationship between the leader[s] and the followers. 3. The use of a coordinated program of persuasion, which is called thought reform [or more commonly, ‘brainwashing'”].
