TYPES OF CONVERSION

1. Intellectual: a person studies the organization without any participation in the organization. He is basically a believer by the time he begins to participate.

2. Mystical: St. Paul's conversion is the prototype of this. This conversion comes from a power outside the individual with little or no social pressure involved.

3. Experimental: a person participates in the organization to see if he likes it or it is what he is looking for.

4. Affectional: a relationship with a "cult" member is the main motivation for this conversion.

5. Revivalist: a profound experience occurs within an emotionally aroused crowd sufficient to cause a conversion.

6. Coercive: the individual is forced either knowingly or not into a conversion. Seven steps are used:

a. total control of the person's environment.

b. uncertainty- for example, being praised and punished for doing the same thing at different times.

c. isolation from the outside world.

d. mental and/or physical torture.

e. physical debilitation and exhaustion.

f. personal humiliation.

g. certainty of the individual's guilt.

(from Lofland-Skonovd (1981 Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 20(4):373-385)

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