TED-Ed: Why do people join cults?

Today, there are thousands of cults around the world. Broadly speaking, a cult is a group or movement with a shared commitment to a usually extreme ideology that’s typically embodied in a charismatic leader. But what exactly differentiates cults from other groups – and why do people join them? Janja Lalich describes how cults recruit and manipulate their members.
 

 
View the full TED-Ed lesson here:  http://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-do-people-join-cults-janja-lalich
 
Lesson by Janja Lalich. Animation by Gobizco.

Newsletter Sign-up

Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on courses and services.

Past Articles

Recommended Reading and Other Resources

Hotline Resources

National Domestic Violence Hotline
(800) 799-7233
https://www.thehotline.org/get-help/

Love is Respect
National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline
(866) 331-9474
https://www.loveisrespect.org/

ChildHelp National Child Abuse Hotline
(800) 422-4453
https://www.childhelp.org/

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(800) 273-8255
https://988lifeline.org/

Rape, Abuse, and Incest

National Network (RAINN)
(800) 656-4673
https://www.rainn.org/