- Email: [email protected]
Cults, converts, and charisma
BOOK
REVIEWS
235
The first half of the work addresses issues in the classification, definition, and delimitation of the eating disorders. An explanution of the revisions for bulimia nervosa found in the DSM-III-R (1987) is given, clarification is provided of the various criteria employed, and the diagnostic process itself is examined. The relationship between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa is considered in light of the questions as to whether or not these two syndromes are distinct entities. The information provided leads to the preliminary conclusion that these are indeed separate but highly related disorders. Clinical features shared by anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are emphasized. It is argued that diagnostic criteria need to reflect the close association of the two syndromes. In the latter half of the volume, the relationships of eating disorders to other syndromes are considered. For some time there has been a tendency to associate the eating disorders with affective disorders, particularly in light of observations that: (a) depression is common in both eating disordered individuals and their families; (b) the two disorders share some biological markers; and (c) some patients with bulimia nervosa have been successfully treated with antidepressant medications. Evidence is presented here that suggests that while eating disorders and affective disorders may coexist in the same individual, it is premature to presume common underlying mechanisms. The need for more direct studies of the relationship between affective and eating disorders is evident. Another important concern is the differential diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders where a personality disorder may also exist. The book provides an overview of three levels of personality (traits, disorders, and structures), as well as a summary of the typical personality factors in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. It is suggested that, where a personality disorder exists in conjunction with an eating disorder, the personality disorder would be the primary focus of treatment, at least initially. Finally, the book contains an exploration of the often neglected issue of eating disorders in males. The summary of available research indicates that, for males, there is less concern with body weight and size and greater focus on body shape. The editors acknowledge that their book is not an exhaustive effort. Rather their intentions were to bring to the fore some major diagnostic issues and pave the way for further exploration. They do a commendable job of both answering and inspiring questions in regard to diagnostic and treatment considerations in eating disorders. Regardless of one’s theoretical orientation, Garner and Garfinkel have brought together a collaborative work that belongs on the reading list of everyone working with, or interested in, eating disorders.
Mary E. L&y
Cults, Converts, and Charisma. T. Robbins, Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 1988. Falling jbn the Faith: Causes and Consquences of Rel@ious Apostasy. D. G. Bromley (Ed.).
Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 1988.
The two volumes considered here provide perspectives on the processes through which individuals are attracted and drawn to religion and the processes of religious
236
BOOK
REVIEWS
defection or apostasy. While neither book nas an exclusive focus on these processes during adolescence, there is -much of value to be learned about religious developments for this age group. Interest in cults, sects, and religious conversions has increased greatly in the past 20 years, both in the media and in research circles as well. Since the mid-60s religious phenomena and events ranging from the long-haired Jesus freaks of the hippie era, to the Jonestown massacre, to the sex and money scandals of recent years, have caught the public eye. Robbins, in Cults, Converts, and Charisma, attempts to trace the evolution of New Religious Movements (as he terms contemporary sects and cults) and reviews current thinking concerning the social forces that affect their development, stability, and degeneration. Specific topics discussed include: the relationships that exist between cult development and societal pressures, the dynamics of religious conversion, and the marketing of these New Religious Movements. The interactive relationships between religious research and developments within sociology in general are also discussed. Theories and research are presented in a clear, concise, and comprehensive fashion. Alternative explanations are offered for a variety of religious phenomena. It is well established that the religious conversion experience can be an important aspect of adolescence. Teenagers are also particularly susceptible to the lure of cults and sects. While the author repeatedly mentions that young adults have comprised the majority of members in many cults and sects, there is no section in the text discussing the interaction between the developmental needs of adolescents and young adults and the stucture and value systems of the New Religious Movements to which they are attracted. This omission probably reflects the fact that the text is written primarily from a sociological and not a developmental-psychological perspective. Nevertheless, Chapter 3, in which conversion and defection are discussed, pertains directly to the study of the adolescent experience. The types of conversion, the conversion process, the distinction between conversion and “brainwashing” and religious apostasy are all described and explained. In sum, this book provides an excellent overview for the reader who is interested in the structure, nature, and dynamics of the New Religious Movements to which so many adolescents have been attracted. David Bromley, in Falling from the Faith: Causes and Consequences of Religious Apostasy, has drawn together research articles from over a dozen authors, all of which deal with the issue of religious apostasy. The first half of the book covers disaffiliation from mainline churches. Topics such as apostasy among Mormons, Catholics, and nuns are covered. The second half of the book includes articles in which disaffiliation from alternative religious groups are analysed. The authors study disaffiliation from the New Religious Movements, the Unification Church, and the People’s Temple. Deprogramming is also discussed. The author points out in his introduction that there is a significant difference in the research approaches employed in the study of disaffiliation. It is clearly seen in the articles he has selected. Researchers cannot even agree what terms to use to describe the process. These range from dropping out to defecting to disengagement. While the editor clearly points out the difficulties with conducting this type of research, he
BOOK
REVIEWS
237
makes no attempt to integrate the information and look for the common themes among the findings of his contributors. One important point made in several of the chapters is the high rate of apostasy that occurs within New Religious Movements. While these groups may attract large numbers of converts, they also experience a steady loss of members. This exodus is particularly strong among the newly converted adolescents and young adults. It has been contended that one of the peak periods of religious conversion is adolescence. Some of the research discussed here suggests that adoiescence is a peak period of religious defection as well. For readers interested in the study of religious development in adolescence, this text can provide important information about the prevalence of religious defection, the reasons why it occurs, and the difficulties many have in reintegrating into society. Mitchell Parker
REVIEWS
235
The first half of the work addresses issues in the classification, definition, and delimitation of the eating disorders. An explanution of the revisions for bulimia nervosa found in the DSM-III-R (1987) is given, clarification is provided of the various criteria employed, and the diagnostic process itself is examined. The relationship between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa is considered in light of the questions as to whether or not these two syndromes are distinct entities. The information provided leads to the preliminary conclusion that these are indeed separate but highly related disorders. Clinical features shared by anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are emphasized. It is argued that diagnostic criteria need to reflect the close association of the two syndromes. In the latter half of the volume, the relationships of eating disorders to other syndromes are considered. For some time there has been a tendency to associate the eating disorders with affective disorders, particularly in light of observations that: (a) depression is common in both eating disordered individuals and their families; (b) the two disorders share some biological markers; and (c) some patients with bulimia nervosa have been successfully treated with antidepressant medications. Evidence is presented here that suggests that while eating disorders and affective disorders may coexist in the same individual, it is premature to presume common underlying mechanisms. The need for more direct studies of the relationship between affective and eating disorders is evident. Another important concern is the differential diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders where a personality disorder may also exist. The book provides an overview of three levels of personality (traits, disorders, and structures), as well as a summary of the typical personality factors in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. It is suggested that, where a personality disorder exists in conjunction with an eating disorder, the personality disorder would be the primary focus of treatment, at least initially. Finally, the book contains an exploration of the often neglected issue of eating disorders in males. The summary of available research indicates that, for males, there is less concern with body weight and size and greater focus on body shape. The editors acknowledge that their book is not an exhaustive effort. Rather their intentions were to bring to the fore some major diagnostic issues and pave the way for further exploration. They do a commendable job of both answering and inspiring questions in regard to diagnostic and treatment considerations in eating disorders. Regardless of one’s theoretical orientation, Garner and Garfinkel have brought together a collaborative work that belongs on the reading list of everyone working with, or interested in, eating disorders.
Mary E. L&y
Cults, Converts, and Charisma. T. Robbins, Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 1988. Falling jbn the Faith: Causes and Consquences of Rel@ious Apostasy. D. G. Bromley (Ed.).
Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 1988.
The two volumes considered here provide perspectives on the processes through which individuals are attracted and drawn to religion and the processes of religious
236
BOOK
REVIEWS
defection or apostasy. While neither book nas an exclusive focus on these processes during adolescence, there is -much of value to be learned about religious developments for this age group. Interest in cults, sects, and religious conversions has increased greatly in the past 20 years, both in the media and in research circles as well. Since the mid-60s religious phenomena and events ranging from the long-haired Jesus freaks of the hippie era, to the Jonestown massacre, to the sex and money scandals of recent years, have caught the public eye. Robbins, in Cults, Converts, and Charisma, attempts to trace the evolution of New Religious Movements (as he terms contemporary sects and cults) and reviews current thinking concerning the social forces that affect their development, stability, and degeneration. Specific topics discussed include: the relationships that exist between cult development and societal pressures, the dynamics of religious conversion, and the marketing of these New Religious Movements. The interactive relationships between religious research and developments within sociology in general are also discussed. Theories and research are presented in a clear, concise, and comprehensive fashion. Alternative explanations are offered for a variety of religious phenomena. It is well established that the religious conversion experience can be an important aspect of adolescence. Teenagers are also particularly susceptible to the lure of cults and sects. While the author repeatedly mentions that young adults have comprised the majority of members in many cults and sects, there is no section in the text discussing the interaction between the developmental needs of adolescents and young adults and the stucture and value systems of the New Religious Movements to which they are attracted. This omission probably reflects the fact that the text is written primarily from a sociological and not a developmental-psychological perspective. Nevertheless, Chapter 3, in which conversion and defection are discussed, pertains directly to the study of the adolescent experience. The types of conversion, the conversion process, the distinction between conversion and “brainwashing” and religious apostasy are all described and explained. In sum, this book provides an excellent overview for the reader who is interested in the structure, nature, and dynamics of the New Religious Movements to which so many adolescents have been attracted. David Bromley, in Falling from the Faith: Causes and Consequences of Religious Apostasy, has drawn together research articles from over a dozen authors, all of which deal with the issue of religious apostasy. The first half of the book covers disaffiliation from mainline churches. Topics such as apostasy among Mormons, Catholics, and nuns are covered. The second half of the book includes articles in which disaffiliation from alternative religious groups are analysed. The authors study disaffiliation from the New Religious Movements, the Unification Church, and the People’s Temple. Deprogramming is also discussed. The author points out in his introduction that there is a significant difference in the research approaches employed in the study of disaffiliation. It is clearly seen in the articles he has selected. Researchers cannot even agree what terms to use to describe the process. These range from dropping out to defecting to disengagement. While the editor clearly points out the difficulties with conducting this type of research, he
BOOK
REVIEWS
237
makes no attempt to integrate the information and look for the common themes among the findings of his contributors. One important point made in several of the chapters is the high rate of apostasy that occurs within New Religious Movements. While these groups may attract large numbers of converts, they also experience a steady loss of members. This exodus is particularly strong among the newly converted adolescents and young adults. It has been contended that one of the peak periods of religious conversion is adolescence. Some of the research discussed here suggests that adoiescence is a peak period of religious defection as well. For readers interested in the study of religious development in adolescence, this text can provide important information about the prevalence of religious defection, the reasons why it occurs, and the difficulties many have in reintegrating into society. Mitchell Parker