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English
Cambridge University Press
03 July 2025
Cults have captivated public imagination, gained visibility in the media, and become a popular topic of discourse. While anecdotal and journalistic accounts offer compelling insights, systematic study on the structure, psychological predispositions, and relevance to clinical and legal settings are comparatively scarce. This disparity highlights a crucial need for rigorous scholarly inquiry, moving beyond media portrayals to uncover the foundational mechanisms that sustain and shape these enigmatic groups. Authored by experts in forensic psychiatry and psychology, this book consolidates the extant literature in reviewing the theoretical, sociocultural, clinical, and forensic issues surrounding cultist groups. This text applies evidence-based study to identify group subtypes and explore mediators and moderators that may be relevant in clinical and legal contexts. Authors address issues as they relate to a variety of subpopulations, comorbid mental disorders, mind-altering substances, treatment, and the and legal implications inherent to cults and persuasive leadership. This book may be especially pertinent to mental health professionals and those working in the criminal justice system.
Edited by:   , , , , ,
Imprint:   Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Weight:   469g
ISBN:   9781009643030
ISBN 10:   1009643037
Pages:   308
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Part I. Typology: 1. Eastern religious cults Ansar Haroun, Dipak Gupta and Hayat Alvi; 2. Western religious cults Trent Holmberg and Kelsey Tuttle; 3. Cults of personality Joseph Pierre; 4. Groups of prejudice and intolerance Carlos A. Larrauri, Harold Bursztajn, Michael Ashley Stein, Mickey Arieli and Aviv Weinstein; 5. Multilevel marketing groups Reagan Gill; 6. Family cults Amanie Salem; Part II. Confounding Factors and Special Populations: 7. Adolescents and cults Ajay Nair and Amanie Salem; 8. Comorbid major mental disorders Susan Hatters-Friedman, Ashley VanDercar, and Ren Lawrence; 9. Extreme overvalued beliefs Tahir Rahman and Jason Roof; 10. Psychopathy and personality disorders Joslyn Wallenborn and Reid Meloy; 11. Drug use in cults Chris Sterwald and Jason Roof; Part III. Treatment and Legal Repercussions: 12. Treatment Steven Hassan, Austin Blum, and Zachary Schwartz; 13. Legal repercussions Tom Gutheil and Eric Drogin; Index.

Tyler Durns, MD is Professor and Forensic Psychiatrist at the University of Utah Huntsman Mental Health Institute and Program Director of its Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship. Charles Scott, MD is Professor and Forensic Psychiatrist at the University of California, Davis, and Chief of its Psychiatry and the Law Division. Paul Whitehead, MD is Adjunct Professor and Forensic Psychiatrist at the University of Utah and Clinical Director at Utah State Hospital. Barbara McDermott, PhD is Professor and Forensic Psychologist at the University of California, Davis, and Research Director at the California Department of State Hospitals.

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