"Anybody can be sucked into a cult" Psychologist Dieter Rohmann on the reasons why people choose psycho- or guru- movements. Munich, Germany
August 24, 2000
Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) Are cult members naive, emotionally unstable people? A study done by Munich psychologist Dieter Rohmann, who has been working with members and former cult members for 16 years, contradicts this stereotype. According to his study, cult members, as a rule, are extremely ready to help others, and are sensitive, idealistic people. They often grew up in a smaller city or in the country and often have some upper level education. Most joined when between 21 and 25 years old. The basis of the psychologist's research is his survey of family members and friends of 110 cult members from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. SZ: Is there such a thing as a "typical cult personality"? Dieter Rohmann: I don't thinks so. It can happen to anybody, being pulled into a cult. There is a suitable cult for everybody. People who have an optimistic outlook on life are, perhaps, less at risk. But cult members are not more anxious, naive or weaker than others. SZ: In your study you speak of external factors which have to come together before someone turns to a cult. Is the cult viewed as a saving hope in a desperate life situation? Rohmann: Apparently. Even I was surprised that most cult members, at the time they joined, were struggling with three or four problems at the same time - in personal relations, in the work place or in school. Often there was an accident or the loss of a loved one in addition to that. SZ: The statements you have on cult members come from their parents, siblings and former friends - from people, namely, who possibly were annoyed at the person's joining the cult. How objective is such data? Rohmann: Naturally the tales from family members are tendentious. However I have taken the attitude that people who approach me with a request for help will at least give subjectively true answers. They are well aware that if they have not filled out the questionnaire properly that I cannot help them. SZ: Among the 110 subjects, there are just three only children. Are only children less susceptible to sects? Rohmann: I can only explain that by saying that only children have learned how to handle themselves better. They don't absolutely need affirmation from a group. Besides that, the idea of sleeping four or five to a room is probably nightmarish to them. SZ: Is there a gender-specific motive for entering a cult? Rohmann: It's obvious with women that often they are trying to break out of a family situation which they perceive as cumbersome. Besides that there are often women who get along well in the life cycle of "children-kitchen-church". Men, on the other hand, often explained to their families that their motives lie in the teachings of the group. SZ: To what extent does the church connection play a role? Rohmann: It is only in the Christian fundamentalist groups that there are a greater-than-average number of people who regularly went to church as a child. Religious training was less heavily emphasized in the so-called guru cults and the esoteric and psycho-cults. SZ: Is there anything that all cult members have in common? Rohmann: Yes. The search for binding authority and for binding answers is found in the classic forms of cult which turn away from the world, as well as in the new cults which say they make people more fit for the world. Management courses with esoteric overtones are rather strongly on the rise. People ask themselves, "Is my constantly ringing cellular phone really all there is to life?" Whatever answer they get is always the right one. It is just that people have to pay attention to the people who are providing the answer and whether they really mean it seriously. Interview: Monika Maier-Albang ---- Unofficial translations of German media, For non-commercial use only Recent events - http://cisar.org/trnmenu.htm Informational publications http://members.tripod.com/German_Scn_News Over 1200 articles sorted by date http://cisar.org/sortdate.htm

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