When David Taylor infiltrated the Heaven's Gate cult, he observed that new members did not endorse all of the beliefs of the group, but the strength of their endorsement increased the longer they were in the cult. What is the most appropriate conclusion that can be drawn from the Balch and Taylor study?
A) Joining the cult led members to eventually believe even the most extreme ideas.
B) Becoming a cult member caused a person to believe at least some of the cult's ideas.
C) The beliefs of cult members were caused by their cult experience.
D) Greater acceptance of the cult's beliefs was related to being in the cult for a longer period of time.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The observation made by David Taylor in the Heaven's Gate cult suggests that members' endorsement of the group's beliefs increased the longer they were in the cult. Therefore, the most appropriate conclusion that can be drawn from the Balch and Taylor study is that greater acceptance of the cult's beliefs was related to being in the cult for a longer period of time (Option D). This does not necessarily mean that joining the cult led members to eventually believe even the most extreme ideas (Option A) or that becoming a cult member caused a person to believe at least some of the cult's ideas (Option B). It also does not necessarily imply that the beliefs of cult members were caused solely by their cult experience (Option C).

When David Taylor Infiltrated the Heaven's Gate Cult, He Observed