On the most basic level, communication is comprised of sending a message and receiving a message. Cults are usually explained to be about a message being sent by an authoritarian, charismatic, demigod type leader. This is helpful in that it purveys the outside-in or message sent, however seems to omit the inside-out or message received.  The message sent by the leader is overpowering and may be mind-controlling. My reservation about the completeness of this explanation is that it leaves out the salient features of why the message might be received.

Cult followers have their own reasons for being attracted to a cause. My first thought is that followers may be attracted to the idea of allegiance. Seeking purpose and meaning through commitment to a common goal is not just cultlike.

Non-cultists also seek out environments that will provide stimulation and direction. Allegiance in a cult requires two additional commitments. One’s loyalty and commitment must be to the group and a self-chosen superior leader. These choices initiate a vulnerability to exploitation.

The Message Received

A cult mentality is really an illusion.  Once in the illusion, the power of one’s imagination takes control. Professor Bruce Hood has gone so far as to suggest that in an illusion the brain sees imagination and reality as the same thing, no different. Given this may be true, we would be captive to our illusion unless we become aware that we are in an illusion.

What would reinforce this need to stay in an illusion?  We all have a need to “zone out” of reality at times.  Reality can be stressful, depressive, confusing, and damaging to our health when we are not coping. 

We attend movies, explore art museums, read literature and create social interaction opportunities to transport ourselves from stressful experiences to an alternative reality.  We heal in these moments of escape from the burdens of our current circumstances.

Fictitious Realities

A fictitious reality is a more palatable reality when we are not coping.  We create the illusion, or fiction, to remove any confusing complexities or contradictions within our experience that our mind cannot understand or acknowledge.  “All men are created equal” may be difficult to swallow for someone stuck in the fictitious reality of “white supremacy”.  Facts and truth must be reconstructed accordingly.  The fictitious reality must be maintained and reinforced at all costs.

Sometimes, our justifications or decisions are based on their desirability rather than an accurate reflection of the evidence. Cognitive psychologists refer to this practice as motivated reasoning. We are motivated to find the reasons we are looking for. When this occurs, we become myopic to the bigger picture.

We have now instigated a narrowing of our perspective, usually completely unknown to us. We see only what we choose to see, at the expense of what is possible. Motivated reasoning gives us confirmation of what we need in the moment. As can be expected, there are numerous false positives with this approach. Conspiracy advocates utilize motivated reasoning to support their case. As we have witnessed with many conspiracy theorists, this mindset fails inevitably with the onset of factual evidence.  Factual information is compromised to create a personalized confirmation bias. This approach satisfies a temporary need in lieu of a more permanent reality. Over time this approach will confabulate the truth.  In reality, the illusion of the fictitious reality displaces both fact and truth.  They cease to be of any influence at all.

Implicit Bias

What is implicit bias?  Implicit bias is unconscious bias. This type of bias connects automatically beyond our awareness. Where does implicit bias come from? How is implicit bias reinforced? Are there specific strategies that psychologists can begin to implement that will alleviate one’s implicit bias?

A starting point to understanding implicit bias is the concept of intolerance. When we are intolerant, we are demonstrating our narrow band of acceptance toward another’s ideas, actions, or being. This narrow band of acceptance operates at the expense of gathering more information. We are making judgements with insufficient knowledge. Our lack of awareness and unconscious bias is reinforced through repetition. Likeminded people can unite to manifest this implicit bias into stereotypes that become self-fulfilling.

Another salient component to implicit bias is one’s degree of insularity. Insularity surfaces in situations where we have a narrow view of others based on a lack of exposure or experience to their differences. Our judgements are again based on a lack of understanding or awareness. When insularity and intolerance align we have the “perfect storm” for implicit bias.

The unconscious mind can now substantiate and obtain implicit bias confirmation. Once the mind has confirmation bias, the work to dismantle these automatic responses of implicit bias becomes even more difficult. A narrow view of implicit bias utilises both one’s intolerance and insularity as a protective shield to the potential of diversity. Diversity is seen as the threat to one’s sense of the status-quo.

Changing one’s implicit bias requires broadening one’s perspective, which will have an immediate influence on both intolerance and insularity. Acceptance of others diverse views while exploring unknown avenues of experience will enhance both awareness and empathy.

Diversity allows for inclusion without any loss of independence. The synergy created is more cooperative and less competitive. Judgement is replaced with acceptance. Fresh ideas can lead to more creative solutions and innovation. As diversity and understanding increases, the triggers to intolerance are decreased. The compulsion to be insular diminishes.

Conscious Replaces Unconscious

Decreasing implicit bias allows the conscious mind to be free and replace the unconscious mind more often. Automatic unreasoned thoughts and reactions have more holidays. Reflection has the opportunity to displace reflex. We are now empowered to expand our narrow perspective. Intolerance and insularity are no longer needed or valued. Displacing automatic reflexive reactions requires a higher level of self-observational skills.

The unconscious mind consists of reactions to our self-story, which have been influenced by our historical recollections. Much of our self-story is inaccurate due to our lack of self-observational skills. Transitioning from our self-story to our more accurate self-observations will ensure that our consciousness level is elevated, which has the capacity to promote rather than hinder our personal growth.