

Why Do People Join Cults? (2018 Rerun)
Jan 9, 2025
Dr. Alexandra Stein, a social psychologist and cult expert, shares her insights on why people join cults. She discusses her own experiences in a cult, revealing how individuals often seek community and support, unwittingly falling into manipulative environments. Stein explores the emotional impact of cult dynamics, including shunning and coercive control, while emphasizing the importance of support systems for recovery. She also connects the psychological mechanisms of cults to authoritarian leadership, highlighting parallels that can be found in both cults and politics.
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Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Intro
00:00 • 2min
The Path to Cult Involvement
01:50 • 12min
The Coercive Dynamics of Cults and the Impact of Shunning
14:06 • 3min
Breaking Free from Cult Control
17:22 • 20min
Understanding the Psychological Dynamics of Intense Relationships
37:06 • 2min
Breaking Free: The Psychological Toll of Control
39:16 • 10min
Psychology of Cults and Leadership Dynamics
49:44 • 10min