Social Psychology: Free Will Vs. Autonomy

Social Psychology: Free will vs Autonomy.
Understanding Formulation of Actions: A Cult Case Study.
The formulation of truth as a psychological process is vastly homogeneous, meaning that there are universal truths and beliefs. Social absolutes exist in the form of consensus understanding of right and wrong; common decency is an expected phenomenon and value is placed upon the action in a social setting. It could be argued that humans rely on others for confirmation of their actions (Asch 1956). So when placed in a situation where extreme behaviour is normalised and harmful behaviour towards oneself encouraged, it could be argued that the human psyche is left to its own decision making process the 'fight or flight ' response that would be …show more content…
Strong & M Killingsworth’s work into the ‘cult personality’ (2011) have demonstrated that the relationship between the individual’s experience and the behaviour of the cult leader effects the response that the leader receives from their social influence. Within controlling societies such as that of a cult, the leader maintaining his position and the group constantly having the same perception of the leader is vital in persuading group members to remain obedient. The idea that the leader of a cult such as that in Jamestown is devout and will ‘save them’ is consistent throughout reports of the suicide. Jim Jones was reported to be a very charismatic leader who regularly performed miracles (history1900s.com), reinforcing his follower’s perception of omnibenevolence. Suggesting that the follower makes their own judgements about the leader based on their impression of the cult leader and adjusts their behaviour accordingly. The decision to join a cult could be based entirely on the initial impression that the individual forms of the leader (Asch 1946). There are also counts of members attempting to leave the cult these cult members may have been disillusioned with the cult leader after he failed to uphold to the initial judgments the individual had made about the leader. Accounts of the leader ‘further descending into mental instability’ evidencing that the leader may have been perceived more negatively as the behaviour of the cult leader became of erratic. Shortly before members of the cult decided that they wanted to leave there were doubts within the cult that Jones would deliver on the promises made during the recruiting process. Suggesting that attributes initially associated with Jones such as Omnipotence and absolute honesty no longer applied to the cult leader, forcing the disillusion that some cult members experienced. Implying that the removal of the ‘saviour’ label allowed for the exercise of