Essays
The Knowledge Bank at the Lalich Center is a comprehensive repository designed to empower survivors, families, and professionals with valuable insights into cults and coercive relationships. Our mission is to provide accessible resources that foster understanding and support recovery.
Our Essays provide personal narratives and expert perspectives on experiences within and beyond cultic environments. These writings aim to shed light on the complexities of recovery and the resilience of those affected, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding.
Disclaimer: The authors of the posts in this section of our website are responsible for the contents and are solely responsible for opinions expressed therein.
Bounded Choice - The Illusion of Autonomy in High-Control Systems - A Tribute to Philip Zimbardo
This essay was written in honor of Dr. Philip Zimbardo, who died on October 14, 2024, at 91. Dr. Zimbardo was best known for his theory that situational and systemic factors can lead ordinary people to commit harmful or immoral acts. Zimbardo’s research focused on the psychology of evil, which included studies on “the Lucifer Effect,” deindividuation, and the Bystander Effect
Cults and Brainwashing: The hidden – and not so hidden – epidemic
Alexandra Stein is a writer and lecturer specializing in the social psychology of cults, totalitarianism, and other dangerous social relationships and their opposites: “small d” democracy, inclusivity, and healthy social networks. In this essay, Alexandra discusses the hidden and not-so-hidden epidemic of cults and brainwashing.
The Cult of Two: How Relationships Can Mirror a Cult –
and the Interplay of Narcissism and Gaslighting
Dr. Robin S. Stern explores how certain intimate relationships can resemble cult dynamics, particularly through the lenses of narcissism and gaslighting. She illustrates how a dominant partner may employ gaslighting—a manipulative tactic that causes the other to doubt their own perceptions—to establish control and dependency.
David Berg’s Perversion of Biblical Bridal Theology in the Children of God / The Family
Perry Bulwer examines the religious concept of mystical marriage between God and believers in the context of biblical bridal theology. He discusses its scriptural basis in the Old and New Testaments and the doctrinal disputes surrounding it.
Cults and the Law
Phil Elberg
Phil Elberg shares with us a document that explores the intersection of legal practice and personal experience with cultic involvement, offering insights shaped by years of navigating both professional and personal challenges.
Have questions or want to sign up for an event?
Essays
The Knowledge Bank at the Lalich Center is a comprehensive repository designed to empower survivors, families, and professionals with valuable insights into cults and coercive relationships. Our mission is to provide accessible resources that foster understanding and support recovery.
Our Essays provide personal narratives and expert perspectives on experiences within and beyond cultic environments. These writings aim to shed light on the complexities of recovery and the resilience of those affected, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding.
Disclaimer: The authors of the posts in this section of our website are responsible for the contents and are solely responsible for opinions expressed therein.
The Cult of Two: How Relationships Can Mirror a Cult –
and the Interplay of Narcissism and Gaslighting
Dr. Robin S. Stern explores how certain intimate relationships can resemble cult dynamics, particularly through the lenses of narcissism and gaslighting. She illustrates how a dominant partner may employ gaslighting—a manipulative tactic that causes the other to doubt their own perceptions—to establish control and dependency.
Cults and Brainwashing: The hidden – and not so hidden – epidemic
Alexandra Stein is a writer and lecturer specializing in the social psychology of cults, totalitarianism, and other dangerous social relationships and their opposites: “small d” democracy, inclusivity, and healthy social networks. In this essay, Alexandra discusses the hidden and not-so-hidden epidemic of cults and brainwashing.
David Berg’s Perversion of Biblical Bridal Theology in the Children of God / The Family
Perry Bulwer examines the religious concept of mystical marriage between God and believers in the context of biblical bridal theology. He discusses its scriptural basis in the Old and New Testaments and the doctrinal disputes surrounding it.
Cults and the Law
Phil Elberg
Phil Elberg shares with us a document that explores the intersection of legal practice and personal experience with cultic involvement, offering insights shaped by years of navigating both professional and personal challenges.
Bounded Choice - The Illusion of Autonomy in High-Control Systems - A Tribute to Philip Zimbardo
This essay was written in honor of Dr. Philip Zimbardo, who died on October 14, 2024, at 91. Dr. Zimbardo was best known for his theory that situational and systemic factors can lead ordinary people to commit harmful or immoral acts. Zimbardo’s research focused on the psychology of evil, which included studies on “the Lucifer Effect,” deindividuation, and the Bystander Effect
Have questions or want to sign up for an event?
Learn more
The Knowledge Bank at the Lalich Center is a comprehensive repository designed to empower survivors, families, and professionals with valuable insights into cults and coercive relationships. Our mission is to provide accessible resources that foster understanding and support recovery.
Our Essays provide personal narratives and expert perspectives on experiences within and beyond cultic environments. These writings aim to shed light on the complexities of recovery and the resilience of those affected, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding.
Disclaimer: The authors of the posts in this section of our website are responsible for the contents and are solely responsible for opinions expressed therein.
Bounded Choice - The Illusion of Autonomy in High-Control Systems - A Tribute to Philip Zimbardo
This essay was written in honor of Dr. Philip Zimbardo, who died on October 14, 2024, at 91. Dr. Zimbardo was best known for his theory that situational and systemic factors can lead ordinary people to commit harmful or immoral acts. Zimbardo’s research focused on the psychology of evil, which included studies on “the Lucifer Effect,” deindividuation, and the Bystander Effect
Cults and Brainwashing: The hidden – and not so hidden – epidemic
Alexandra Stein is a writer and lecturer specializing in the social psychology of cults, totalitarianism, and other dangerous social relationships and their opposites: “small d” democracy, inclusivity, and healthy social networks. In this essay, Alexandra discusses the hidden and not-so-hidden epidemic of cults and brainwashing.
The Cult of Two: How Relationships Can Mirror a Cult –
and the Interplay of Narcissism and Gaslighting
Dr. Robin S. Stern explores how certain intimate relationships can resemble cult dynamics, particularly through the lenses of narcissism and gaslighting. She illustrates how a dominant partner may employ gaslighting—a manipulative tactic that causes the other to doubt their own perceptions—to establish control and dependency.
David Berg’s Perversion of Biblical Bridal Theology in the Children of God / The Family
Perry Bulwer examines the religious concept of mystical marriage between God and believers in the context of biblical bridal theology. He discusses its scriptural basis in the Old and New Testaments and the doctrinal disputes surrounding it.
Cults and the Law
Phil Elberg
Phil Elberg shares with us a document that explores the intersection of legal practice and personal experience with cultic involvement, offering insights shaped by years of navigating both professional and personal challenges.
Have questions or want to sign up for an event?
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