Humans inherently seek belonging in groups that shape their beliefs and behaviors. Individuals rely on group ideologies to understand the world and strive to embody the group's ideals. Every group defines what a hero looks like and members aim to conform to this image, climbing the status ladder within the group. All human groups function as cults in varying degrees, with shared beliefs and rules for membership. However, cults are stricter in enforcing rules than other group types like religions, businesses, or political organizations.