Undue Influence - Cult Model
The “Thought Reform” or “Cult” Model of Margaret Thaler-Singer, PhD
Dr. Singer’s model of thought reform developed from her work on the tactics used by cults and cult leaders. The model is based upon the following six stages:
Isolation
Creation of a Siege Mentality
Dependency
Powerlessness
Fear and Vulnerability
Victim is Kept Unaware
The specific tactics are:
Keep the person unaware of what is going on and the changes taking place.
Control the person’s time and, if possible, physical environment.
Create a sense of powerlessness, covert fear, and dependency.
Suppress much of the person’s old behavior and attitudes.
Instill new behavior and attitudes.
Put forth a closed system of logic; allow no real input or criticism.
Who is susceptible/vulnerable to undue influence? (The answers may surprise you.)
Other methods of assessing undue influence:
