Cults: Faith, Healing and Coercion
Faith, Healing and Coercion
2nd Edition
Published on 2. September 1999
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-0-19-512370-8 (ISBN)
Description
Why do people join cults? How do cults exert such a strong influence over their members' beliefs and even their appearance? These and other questions about the operation of cult groups are answered in this unique book.
The psychological forces that enable cults to exert their intense influence are analysed in detail and with many examples. These forces include social cohesiveness, which has its parallels in the ties that bind family members together; shared beliefs, which set the groups' standards for behaviour; and altered consciousness, which can lead to a rapid change in the attitudes of recruits and members. For this second edition, Galanter has added three new chapters on cult developments of the 1990s -- the Branch Davidians, Aum Shinrikyo, and Heaven's Gate. The books also features 32 new photographs.
The psychological forces that enable cults to exert their intense influence are analysed in detail and with many examples. These forces include social cohesiveness, which has its parallels in the ties that bind family members together; shared beliefs, which set the groups' standards for behaviour; and altered consciousness, which can lead to a rapid change in the attitudes of recruits and members. For this second edition, Galanter has added three new chapters on cult developments of the 1990s -- the Branch Davidians, Aum Shinrikyo, and Heaven's Gate. The books also features 32 new photographs.
Reviews / Votes
Praise for the first edition:"Anyone wishing to understand the psychodynamics of [charismatic groups] should pick up Cults....[Galanter] has been a student of cult-like activity for the better part of two decades; this book represents a thoughtful and provocative summation of what he has learned."--Mark Silk, The New York Times Book Review.
"[Galanter] encourages us to think carefully about the extent to which our society can tolerate pluralism, innovation, and 'deviance.'...Galanter's approach gives us an urgently needed framework that can improve the quality of discussions about cults."--The Christian Century
"Marc has brought us up to date in the latest, mostly cultic movements, which the students need."--Philip K. Armour, Ph.d., University of Texas at Dallas
"Very interesting. Case approach adds interest as well."--Lesley A. Northup, Florida International University
Praise for the first edition:
"Anyone wishing to understand the psychodynamics of [charismatic groups] should pick up Cults....[Galanter] has been a student of cult-like activity for the better part of two decades; this book represents a thoughtful and provocative summation of what he has learned."--Mark Silk, The New York Times Book Review.
"[Galanter] encourages us to think carefully about the extent to which our society can tolerate pluralism, innovation, and 'deviance.'...Galanter's approach gives us an urgently needed framework that can improve the quality of discussions about cults."--The Christian Century
More details
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Edition type
Revised edition
Illustrations
32 Fotos bzw. Rasterbilder, 1 Zeichnung
32 halftones, 1 line drawing
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
471 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-512370-8 (9780195123708)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
12/1999
2nd Edition
Oxford University Press
€16.99
Available for download
Book
07/1999
2nd Edition
Oxford University Press Inc
€50.00
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Marc Galanter is Professor of Psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine.