Lalich’s fascinating discussion includes her in-depth interviews with cult devotees as well as reflections gained from her own experience as a high-ranking member of the Democratic Workers Party. Incorporating classical sociological concepts such as “charisma” and “commitment” with more recent work on the social psychology of influence and control, she develops a new approach for understanding how charismatic cult leaders are able to dominate their devotees. She shows how members are led into a state of “bounded choice,” in which they make seemingly irrational decisions within a context that makes perfect sense to them and is, in fact, consistent with their highest aspirations. In addition to illuminating the cult phenomenon in the United States and around the world, this important book also addresses our pressing need to know more about the mentality of those true believers who take extreme or violent measures in the name of a cause.

From the Inside Flap

“An impressive and even revolutionary look at cultic groups. Lalich challenges fundamental assumptions on all sides of the debate about cults. She spent years as a member of the Democratic Workers Party and provides her readers with a revealing insider’s view. To this, the author adds a much-needed comparative focus with her treatment of the Heaven’s Gate suicides. The result is a theoretical breakthrough in the study of high commitment groups. Lalich’s theory of ‘bounded choice’ is likely to reshape scholarly thinking for years to come about the dynamics of cult involvement and how and why people may act against their own self-interest in pursuit of higher causes.”–E. Burke Rochford, Jr., author of Hare Krishna in America

“Janja Lalich combines unusual empathy for true believers with broad and balanced scholarship and incisive interpretations of overall cultic behavior. Her work illuminates much that goes on not only in charismatic cults but in larger, destructive movements and extremist governments in our troubled world.”–Robert Jay Lifton, author of Superpower Syndrome: America’s Apocalyptic Confrontation with the World

“At a time when politicized religion is rocking the world in often violent ways, this arresting study of totalizing ideological movements offers a new perspective. It revives the terms ‘cult’ and ‘brainwashing,’ often discarded by social scientists, and gives them new meaning as descriptions of cultures of ‘bounded choice.’ This intriguing notion is applied to two quite different movements: the suicidal Heaven’s Gate group and a radical American organization of young Marxists. This book is timely and certain to be widely discussed. But it cannot be easily dismissed-for its author is not only a sensitive social scientist but also a former member of one of the groups. Hence this book speaks with a voice of both thoughtful reason and gripping experience.”–Mark Juergensmeyer, author of Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence

Must reading for everyone who wants to understand the appeal of cults. This book’s wisdom is vital.
-Philip G. Zimbardo, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Stanford University

Meet Rose: She was rolled inside a cotton rug that simulated the birth canal. After struggling to free herself in a birthing exercise, Rose was fed milk from a baby bottle by her psychologist.

Meet Harold: During his first therapy session, Harold was hypnotized so his therapist could learn about his past experiences. Harold was later told by his therapist that as a young man Harold had been abducted by aliens, taken on board a UFO, and his sperm was used for experimentation. These are just some of the people you will read about in “Crazy” Therapies, a startling exposé of the alternative philosophies and practices that can be found in today’s ever-growing psychotherapeutic marketplace. While it is true that millions of people are greatly helped by various types and schools of therapy, each year thousands of vulnerable and unsuspecting individuals go to and trust practitioners who persuade clients to go along with various unfounded and fanciful methods. Generally these enthusiastic, and perhaps ill-trained, therapists are themselves convinced of the healing powers of an array of techniques, some dating far back into time, that range from hilarious to hazardous.

Edited by Janja Lalich, this special issue of the Cultic Studies Journal explores issues of dominance, control, and exploitation of women in groups.

Chapters examine why women are attracted to totalist groups, how they are manipulated, and how they can be helped. Personal accounts provide dramatic examples of the issues discussed.

The “Introduction: “We Own her Now,” can be found on this Web site, under the Articles tab.

From a review in Library Journal: This book succeeds as an ambitious, comprehensive explanation of the cult experience and works well on several levels. Its stated focal intent is to encourage and assist those former cultists struggling to readjust to the “real world.” Powered by the authors’ experience, compassion, and intellect, it capably provides such support. In addition, however, Tobias and Lalich’s systematic analysis of the shared characteristics of cults and cult leaders, along with extensive first-person accounts by former cultists, will educate those readers with a purely intellectual interest in the allure, power, and structure of cults. Recommended for public and religious libraries.