A former cult member and sociologist has elaborated on the one question everyone has about cult leaders.
The expert came online with answers
Speaking to Wired on YouTube, sociologist and former cult member Dr. Janja Lalich answered many of the internet’s questions about cults, addressing the most popular queries made on social media about these organizations.
A question was posed about the leaders
Dr. Lalich answered one of the most common questions where people are wondering how cult leaders manage to get so many followers, as it may seem shocking that some of these organizations have any members at all.
But she explained the psychology behind it
Reading the question, Dr. Lalich was asked, “Why do cult leaders always have to be weirdo freaks that abuse their members? When will we see a cult leader who’s really just a chill guy.”
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She explained that there isn’t such a thing as a ‘chill guy’ who would lead a cult.
‘Chill’ people don’t tend to get in these positions
The expert answered, “Cult leaders are not going to be chill, cult leaders are power-hungry individuals who are typically narcissists who believe that the world revolves around them.”
“They aren’t necessarily weirdo freaks, some of them may look like a classy businessman.”
They also change their appearance
Dr. Lalich also explained that cult leaders don’t tend to appear ‘weird’ when they first attempt to recruit followers.
She used cult leader Marshall Applewhite of the Heaven’s Gate cult as an example, saying that he had a different look when recruiting followers.
The leaders ‘don’t start out that way’
“When Applewhite was recruiting followers he kind of had that professorial look or like your nice uncle,” the expert said.
“The cult leader might become a little demented, might start using too many drugs, might start looking really weird but they certainly don’t start out that way.”
Many use power imbalances to recruit
Dr. Lalich also spoke of Charles Manson, who used drugs to recruit his followers, but pointed out that that’s actually quite rare.
Instead, many use charisma and create power imbalances that ensnare their followers.
Many leaders use ‘social psychology’
“Charles could come along, and he had a very Svengali, charismatic appeal. He would look in your eyes and draw you in and also what is important with what Manson did is he would use drugs,” Dr. Lalich explained.
“Most cults do not use drugs, they are using basic social psychology.”