Question 1

During cult conversion,recruits are first asked to make small commitments,such as staying after a meeting.After making these small commitments,larger commitments are gradually encouraged,such as staying an extra day,calling in sick to work,and eventually signing over a bank account or property.This cult conversion technique illustrates the

Accepted Answer

The described technique is an example of the foot-in-the-door effect, which involves starting with a small request and gradually increasing the size of the request in order to gain compliance from the target. By starting with small commitments, the cult is able to slowly increase the level of commitment and control over the recruit. The door-in-the-face effect involves starting with a large request and then backing down to a smaller request, which is not consistent with the technique described. The lowball technique involves gaining agreement to a request and then revealing additional costs or obligations after the person has already committed, which is not consistent with the technique described. The broken record technique involves repeating the same request over and over again, which is not consistent with the gradual escalation of commitment seen in this technique.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons people stay in cults?

Accepted Answer

Questioning one's beliefs and reaching one's own conclusions is actually a reason why people leave cults, not stay in them. A, B, and C are commonly cited reasons for why people stay in cults.

Question 3

"Love bombing" is a technique often found in

Accepted Answer

Love bombing is a technique used by cults to manipulate individuals into joining by showering them with attention, affection, and flattery in order to create a sense of belonging and indebtedness. It is often used in the recruitment phase of cults and is a key component of their conversion strategy.

Question 4

When her Sara's friend asks her to take care of her dog,Sara tells her "yes" even though she is allergic to dogs.Because she is afraid her friend would not like her anymore,Sara is having difficulty showing

Accepted Answer

Sara is having difficulty showing assertive behavior because she is unable to express her own needs and boundaries, agreeing to take care of the dog despite her allergy.

Question 5

Because most of us have been rewarded for compliant and obedient behavior or because we are afraid of "making a scene," we often have difficult exhibiting

Accepted Answer

The statement mentions that we have been rewarded for compliant and obedient behavior or are afraid of "making a scene." This suggests that we may struggle with exhibiting assertive behavior which involves standing up for our own wants and needs while still being respectful of others. It is not necessary to choose B, C, or D because they are not mentioned in the statement.

Question 6

Conversion to a cult often includes all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Having the convert reflect on his or her own ideas and beliefs is not typically excluded from the conversion process to a cult. The other options (intense displays of affection and understanding toward the convert, isolation of the convert from non-cult members, drills, disciplines, and rituals) are common tactics used by cults to manipulate and control new members.

Question 7

Regarding retention of cult members,which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Once in the cult, members are encouraged to think of themselves primarily as part of the group, rather than as individuals. Cults often place a strong emphasis on loyalty and obedience to the leader and may require members to sever ties with their former lives and beliefs. The other statements (A, B, and D) are generally true for most cults.

Question 8

Which of the following is a common characteristic of adolescents and makes them more susceptible to recruitment by cults?

Accepted Answer

Adolescents are often in a stage of identity confusion as they are still trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in the world. This can make them more vulnerable to the promise of a clear sense of identity and belonging that cults often offer.

Question 9

The final step in the conversion to a cult that creates a powerful cognitive dissonance effect involves

Accepted Answer

Making a major public commitment is the final step in the conversion process because it solidifies the individual's commitment to the cult's beliefs and values, making it more difficult for them to leave or think critically about their involvement. This can create a powerful cognitive dissonance effect where the individual feels conflicted between their previous beliefs and their new beliefs and commitments. Isolation, drills, disciplines, and techniques to wear down emotional resistance may contribute to the effectiveness of the conversion process, but making a public commitment is the crucial final step.

Question 10

Regarding conversion to a cult,which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Rituals such as chanting and meditation are not used to help new members question their beliefs and reach their own conclusions. Instead, they are often used to induce altered states of consciousness and increase suggestibility, making it easier for the group to manipulate and control the new member's thoughts and behaviors.

Question 11

Unlike true spiritual leaders,cult leaders encourage their followers to

Accepted Answer

Cult leaders tend to discourage critical thinking and personal independence, preferring their followers to rely on the leader's teachings for guidance. Security within the cult is often emphasized over individual freedom. Additionally, cult leaders may promote an "us vs. them" mentality, leading followers to view outsiders as a threat rather than showing love and compassion to all people.

Question 12

If you have ever hesitated to question an error on a restaurant bill because you were afraid of making a scene,you are showing difficulty in exhibiting

Accepted Answer

Assertive behavior involves standing up for one's rights and expressing opinions and concerns in a clear and respectful manner. If someone hesitates to question an error due to fear of making a scene, they are not exhibiting assertive behavior. This behavior can be helpful in various situations, including resolving conflicts or correcting mistakes in a restaurant bill.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of true spiritual leaders?

Accepted Answer

True spiritual leaders prioritize critical thinking and encourage followers to question their own beliefs and the beliefs of others. They do not prioritize security over critical thinking. Choices A, B, and C are all characteristics of true spiritual leaders.

Question 14

A critical aspect in conversion to cult membership is

Accepted Answer

Isolation of individuals from family and friends is a common tactic used by cults to break down a person's existing support system and make them more vulnerable to manipulation and control by the cult leader and other members. This isolation can occur gradually, so that the recruit may not even realize how much their ties to family and friends have been weakened until it is too late to easily leave the cult.

Question 15

It is virtually impossible for converts to admit they have made a mistake after making major public commitments to the cult,which creates a powerful __________ effect.

Accepted Answer

The described situation fits the concept of cognitive dissonance, which is the mental discomfort we experience when we hold two or more contradictory beliefs or values, or when our attitudes and behaviors clash. In this case, the convert might have conflicting thoughts such as "I joined a noble cause" and "I might have been deceived", which can create an uncomfortable tension. To reduce the dissonance, the person is likely to rationalize their decision, find ways to justify it, or become more invested in the cult, even if it means ignoring facts or logic. Therefore, the stronger the public commitment made, the stronger the cognitive dissonance can be, making it harder for the individual to admit they made a mistake.

Question 16

In Todd's conversion to a cult,he went through all-night meditation sessions in which the group continually chanted praises to the leader of the cult.These rituals do all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The rituals of all-night meditation sessions and chanting praises to the leader of the cult are likely to wear down physical and emotional resistance, instill discipline and discourage critical thinking, and generate feelings of commitment to the cult, but they are not necessarily focused on helping to sort and clarify ideas regarding the new "religion."

Question 17

Cult conversions often begin with intense displays of affection and understanding,which is termed

Accepted Answer

Love bombing refers to the intense displays of affection and understanding that cults often use in order to attract and convert new members.

Question 18

Regarding cults,which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Cult members are often encouraged to cut ties with their family, friends, and former reference groups and are discouraged from interacting with anyone who does not share their beliefs. Cults often use tactics such as isolation and brainwashing to convince members that the only true source of information and guidance comes from the group's leaders.

Question 19

Regarding cults,which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Regarding cults,which of the following statements is...

Question 20

After they leave the cult,many former cult members suffer from anxiety,panic attacks,and emotional disturbances much like __________ disorder

Accepted Answer

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a common reaction to trauma, including the intense psychological manipulation and abuse experienced by many cult members. Symptoms may include anxiety, panic attacks, nightmares, and emotional disturbances. Borderline personality disorder, major depressive disorder, and dissociative fugue may also occur in former cult members, but they are not typically associated specifically with leaving a cult.

Quiz 16: C: Social Thinking and Social Influence

Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons people stay in cults?

"Love bombing" is a technique often found in

When her Sara's friend asks her to take care of her dog,Sara tells her "yes" even though she is allergic to dogs.Because she is afraid her friend would not like her anymore,Sara is having difficulty showing

Because most of us have been rewarded for compliant and obedient behavior or because we are afraid of "making a scene," we often have difficult exhibiting

Conversion to a cult often includes all of the following EXCEPT

Regarding retention of cult members,which of the following statements is FALSE?

Which of the following is a common characteristic of adolescents and makes them more susceptible to recruitment by cults?

The final step in the conversion to a cult that creates a powerful cognitive dissonance effect involves

Regarding conversion to a cult,which of the following statements is FALSE?

Unlike true spiritual leaders,cult leaders encourage their followers to

If you have ever hesitated to question an error on a restaurant bill because you were afraid of making a scene,you are showing difficulty in exhibiting

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of true spiritual leaders?

A critical aspect in conversion to cult membership is

It is virtually impossible for converts to admit they have made a mistake after making major public commitments to the cult,which creates a powerful __________ effect.

In Todd's conversion to a cult,he went through all-night meditation sessions in which the group continually chanted praises to the leader of the cult.These rituals do all of the following EXCEPT

Cult conversions often begin with intense displays of affection and understanding,which is termed

Regarding cults,which of the following statements is FALSE?

Regarding cults,which of the following statements is FALSE?

After they leave the cult,many former cult members suffer from anxiety,panic attacks,and emotional disturbances much like __________ disorder