What are coercive groups and why are they so dangerous?

The word sect probably conjures up an image of a religious or spiritual group, with members who live apart from society and to which only maladjusted people or those with serious mental problems belong. However, these types of organizations, known in many areas as coercive groups, are much closer to us than most of us think.

We are all susceptible to falling into their networks, in the same way that we are all, under certain circumstances, extraordinarily vulnerable to persuasion.

An important point to consider is that A coercive group is not considered as such based on the ideology it promotes, but rather based on the behavior of the members. and to the dynamics that are established. Thus, the basis is a hierarchy of control in which people are subordinated to the command of a leader, a doctrine or a community. But how do we become victims of these structures and why are they so dangerous? We explore the answers below.

Coercive groups generate dependence in their victims through persuasion techniques and strategies.

What are coercive groups?

A coercive group is a closed community in which processes of persuasion and manipulation are exercised on followers to obtain absolute control over them. Leaders and other participants use coercive techniques to create dependency in the victims, and thus impose behaviors.

Although the most common (or at least what we know most about in general) are groups that promote religious and spiritual motivations, the truth is that there are more types. These sects can attract their followers by encouraging supposed personal improvement or growth, promoting movements to “improve the world,” promising long-awaited financial freedom, or referring to any sensitive aspect that is linked to people’s needs.

Therefore, to recognize a coercive group we do not have to look so much at its ideals, but at other aspects, such as the following:

The existence of a charismatic leader that demands veneration. A indoctrination based on extreme ideals who does not tolerate critical thinking. Adherents are not allowed to doubt, question, or think for themselves, but must become fanatical followers.A result of exploitation sexual, emotional, financial or any other type in the victims. Personal autonomy is greatly reduced and victims have little control over their own livesyour emotions, your relationships, your time or your finances.

How do we get involved in them?

When people get involved in a coercive group they end up paying a very high price.. Generally, they end up in debt or stripped of their assets, isolated and separated from their families and friends, and disengaged from their studies or professional careers. In short, they lose their entire life and their capacity for self-government, and remain dependent, subjugated and generally exploited.

Seeing these results, anyone may wonder how a person ends up involved in a structure of this type. From the outside, we may feel immune or superior to those who fall into the networks of these sects, but the truth is that they are everywhere.

Nowadays, in this globalized and digital world, we are constantly bombarded with advertisements and propositions of assumptions. coachestrainers or consultants who They promise dream lives and try to involve us in their pyramid structures. And you may have witnessed or known some of them yourself.

But it’s not just their ubiquity that makes us vulnerable to falling into the trap. Also They have highly studied and effective psychological mechanisms and strategies. that allow them to achieve their recruitment and control purposes. Furthermore, this is a process that develops progressively and goes through several phases.

Seduction and capture

In the first moment, Coercive groups make sure to give their best image. During recruitment, leaders are friendly, approachable, knowledgeable and trustworthy, offer lots of attention and positive reinforcement, and use warm words.

Thus, they try to make the victim feel identified with the values ​​they promote. They promise financial, emotional or spiritual well-being and, above all, they offer accompaniment and a sense of community that is especially tempting.

There are several characteristics that make people more susceptible to fall into these networks. For example, youth and inexperience, coming from a dysfunctional family and finding oneself socially maladjusted and, above all, going through a complicated and overwhelming situation on an emotional level. The risk is also greater if the “recruiter” is a person close to the victim and if the victim does not know about the manipulative techniques they will try to use on him.

Control and indoctrination

Once the person is captured, a series of coercive strategies begin to be applied that seek to achieve total control. For example:

The victim is isolated from his environment.Emotions of guilt or shame are induced or, on the contrary, interested positive emotional states are encouraged. The economy, activities and occupation of the time of the captured person are controlled.Delivery to the cause is required.The identity of the person is nullified compared to the identity of the group. The idea is projected that the person has value as long as he or she belongs to the group.Critical thinking is punished.Absolute authority is imposed or a belief in the special qualities of the leader is implanted.

Guilt and shame are the emotions that coercive groups most induce in their victims.

Protect ourselves from coercive groups

When the process ends, the person has lost their identity, their relationships, their assets and, above all, their autonomy. Without realizing it, hundreds of thousands of people fall into these manipulation networks camouflaged under groups of coachingpersonal growth, yoga, cryptocurrencies or entrepreneurship that they can’t get out of. And the coercive group makes sure that leaving is really complicated.

This is one of the reasons why these types of groups, and their leaders, are already persecuted in many countries in order to keep citizens safe. In any case, no matter how many initiatives are launched by official organizations, It is important that each person is aware of its existence and remains alert.

Whoever offers quick and magical solutions, induces guilt, tries to isolate you from your environment or your work or seeks to indoctrinate you without allowing you to question should set off all your alarms.

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