Alexandra Stein, Ph.D. is a writer and educator specializing in the social psychology of ideological extremism and other dangerous social relationships. She is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Sussex. Dr. Stein offers programs and materials to help people understand how to identify and protect themselves and others from recruitment into cultic or extremist groups. She also studies and teaches about positive social relationships: "small d" democracy, inclusivity, and healthy social and personal networks that can oppose these dangerous relationships.
In this information-dense conversation, Alexandra discusses her experiences as a former member of a supposedly left-wing political cult explaining how her confusion after leaving became the catalyst for her groundbreaking research into cultic dynamics. Dr. stein cites the work of Robert Jay Lifton and Janja Lalich as instrumental to her initial understanding of how she ended up under the control of an authoritarian and violent cult leader.
Before You Go: Rachel offers her insights on how being involved with high-control groups or relationships can greatly impact someone's attachment style and negatively affect their ability to have healthy relationships.
You can find more about Dr. Stein's work at: https://www.alexandrastein.com/
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