Description |
1 online resource (xiii, 246 pages) |
Contents |
Foreword / Sarah Hamilton-Byrne -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Charisma -- 3. Stage One: Early Narcissism -- 4. Stage Two: Incubation -- 5. Stage Three: Awakening -- 6. Stage Four: Mission -- 7. The Followers and Their Quest -- 8. The Charismatic Moment -- 9. The Soul of the Prophet -- 10. Stage Five: Decline or Fall? -- 11. Conclusions -- App. A. On Theory and Method -- App. B. Leaders and Groups Studied |
Summary |
Len Oakes explores the phenomenon of cult leaders. He examines the psychology of charisma and proposes his own theory of the five-stage life cycle of the two types of prophets: the messianic and charismatic. Often characterized by isolation, autonomy, grandiosity, and manipulativeness, Oakes maintains that the cult leader has a narcissistic personality. This individual possesses a heightened empathy, confidence, and memory, as well as autonomy and detachment - while appearing disquietingly normal most of the time. The author has interviewed several leaders whom, he feels, exemplify the charismatic personality. He also provides insight into the behavior and personality of many well-known cult leaders such as Jim Jones, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, L. Ron Hubbard, Werner Erhard, Kathryn Kuhlman, and J.H. Noyes |
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For eleven years, Oakes was a member of a charismatic communal group, during which time he simultaneously undertook his research into the psychology of charisma. His results - informed by both insider and academic viewpoints - contradicts many current accepted beliefs about cult leaders and their followers |
Notes |
New Zealand author |
Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 215-233) and index |
Notes |
Master and use copy. Digital master created according to Benchmark for Faithful Digital Reproductions of Monographs and Serials, Version 1. Digital Library Federation, December 2002. http://purl.oclc.org/DLF/benchrepro0212 MiAaHDL |
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Print version record |
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digitized 2011 HathiTrust Digital Library committed to preserve pda MiAaHDL |
Subject |
Prophets -- Psychology
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Charisma (Personality trait)
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Religious leaders -- Psychology
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Cults -- Psychology
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RELIGION -- Comparative Religion.
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Charisma (Personality trait)
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Cults -- Psychology
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Prophets -- Psychology
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Religious leaders -- Psychology
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Charisma
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Prophet
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Psychologie
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Religiöser Führer
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Godsdienstige bewegingen.
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Charisma.
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Leiderschap.
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Form |
Electronic book
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ISBN |
9780815603993 |
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0815603991 |
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