Class starting at the Mary Ward Centre on Jan 10 2018  The Social Psychology of Cults and Totalitarianism

This interdisciplinary course will examine the phenomena of cults and totalitarian regimes - closed, hierarchical systems led by charismatic, authoritarian leaders. Using in-depth case studies, we will use a variety of theoretical approaches to understand these systems, in addition to reading narrative and literary accounts. We will explore the processes of recruitment, conversion, conformity, commitment and disaffiliation, with a particular emphasis on understanding the extreme obedience found in these systems. This course will examine commonalities between cults and totalitarian systems including: the effects on personal life and relationships, social networks, a shared absolute ideology, and charismatic relationship between leader and followers.
here to edit.

50 minute interview with me on Worldview by Jerome McDonnell of Chicago Public Radio WBEZ. 

An article I wrote for Aeon Magazine: How Totalism Works

Here's my review of a BBC 2 programme on the Maoist cult in Lambeth led by Aravindan Balakrishnan: https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/fright-without-solution 

And here is an interview with Psychology Today: www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-author-speaks/201702/terror-love-and-brainwashing

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My new book, Terror, Love and Brainwashing: Attachment in cults and totalitarian systems, is now out. 

Talk Beliefs has posted a new interview with me:  

My first book, Inside Out, is now available again on Kindle. Paperback version will follow soon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MFCY923
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New article in Therapy Today by myself and Mary Russell: Attachment Theory and Post-Cult Recovery