Here below is a selection of videos/short films that you may find useful in understanding some of the issues surrounding the topics of psychological manipulation and/or the general cult phenomenon. The following material has not been published by the Cult Information Centre (CIC) and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of CIC.
‘The Asch Conformity Experiment’
This experiment was a series of studies published in 1958 that demonstrated how people quickly conform to group pressure.
Mind Control Made Easy – Instruction Manual for New Cult Leaders
Warning – Some images may be upsetting!
This short film uses humour to expose the very serious methods associated with how cults work. It presents the topic of cults in a tongue-in-cheek way, as though it is a guide for future cult leaders.
‘The Wave’
This film is about the true story of a high school teachers unusual experiment in 1967 to demonstrate to his students what life is like under a dictator and how his exercise spins horribly out of control.
Lecture – Dr. Robert J. Lifton on Cults
This is a video of a lecture given by Dr Lifton. He is the author of ‘Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism.’ Chapter 22 of the above described book has for many years been used by cult critics as a yardstick to use in evaluating whether or not a group uses what is often described today as ‘psychological coercion,’ ‘mind control’ or ‘radicalisation.’
Dr Philip Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment
A film about the notorious prison experiment conducted by Dr Philip Zimbardo in 1971 at Stanford University.
Milgram’s Obedience to Authority Experiment (2009)
‘A Class Divided’ (The Eye Colour = Intelligence Experiment)
This film is about the true story of a teacher’s classroom experiment in 1968. The idea of the experiment was to expose the damage done by racism. However, it perhaps also shows how people can act in inappropriate ways when given (or psychologically programmed with) inaccurate information.