03 Jan 2012
Dangerous Persuaders: An exposé of gurus, personal development courses and cults, and how they operate by Louise Samways
How do cults gain recruits? Why do so many people seeking personal development find themselves becoming dependant on a powerful organisation? Are there any legal restraints on how groups recruit members? How dangerous are cults and personal development courses?
Louise Samways, a practising psychologist, explains what cults and personal development courses are, how they operate, and the mind-control techniques they use on recruits. She describes how these types of organisations ensure their message is continually reinforced, and how people become unable to question the group's demands or to break away from it.
Louise Samways offers practical help and advice to the victims and their families. She also provides information about organisations that are involved in releasing members from the grip of cults, and that provide support for the families. She alerts readers about how approaches are made, and suggests strategies for avoiding them.
Many organisations tried to stop Publication of this book. Louise and Penquin fought legal battles and Louise was physically attacked. ( For the full story read the Preface to this online edition)
Original link: http://www.cifs.org.au/publications.php, download PDF, here.