Jim Jones Cult Essay

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This essay will examine and describe the behavior of cult leaders and cult members by using and applying psychological principles. I will specifically highlight the behavior of Jim Jones and his followers and explain what factors that caused them to believe wholeheartedly in the doctrine of Jim Jones. I will also explain what psychological tactics were used to influence his believers to be participants in mass suicide and the psychological factors that contributed to the belief that this was their only option. What is a cult? According to (Pratkanis & Aronson, 2001,p.307) the term cult is used to described to describe a pattern of social relations within a group” and that cults can be “centered on a range of issues, including race, politics, …show more content…

Many cults have rituals and beliefs that are unique and mysterious, these typically help make the cult different, exotic and seem somehow exclusive from the rest of society or other organized religions. This exclusiveness also helps to establish the cults appeal to potential members; thereby helping the cult leader to attract and bring new members into the fold. What all cults either ancient or modern do have in common, are certain key characteristics that they often employ to attract potential adherents to the cults guiding principles. One of these tactics is the use of propaganda. In the case of Jim Jones it was his eloquent use of anti-American rhetoric during a turbulent period of time in America’s history. This helped Jones to attract members that were sympathetic to his cause, because they could identify with the social, political and religious issues that he spoke about. Unfortunately, once these members took the bait, they began the process of being slowly locked in to the cult and methodically broken down by Jones. This is what ultimately occurred with the members of The Peoples Temple. Once an individual enters the cult, the cult leader may use isolation tactics and propaganda as a means to inoculate cult members from the outside influences of society and family members. The ultimate act of isolation and inoculation that Jones committed was to move his followers to Guyana with little or no warning to the families of cult members. In the process of doing this, Jones cut his members off from society as

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