Analysis Of Jim Jones: The Leader Of The People's Temple

Jim Jones, a name widely known as the leader of the People’s Temple, created a movement that ended up in one of the most massive massacres in history. His charge and influence on others elucidates psychological concepts. Members of the People’s Temple gave up their lives to devote to Mr. Jones’ because of his pressure on the mind persuading techniques of conformity, obedience, and cognitive dissonance. Conformity performed a role in Jones’ project prior to even becoming an official member of the group. Potential affiliates had to follow an oppressive application process that made it overly demanding to get accepted. Once they were accepted into the cult, they became thoroughly committed, especially after going through all the effort to get
In order to evaluate the followers faith towards the People’s Temple rituals were forced to be practiced by the community under Jones’ command. Specifically, the foot-in-the-door concept is shown when Jones demands rehearsals of an entire suicide of the town. The several rehearsals secured an ingrained process for the community when the official mass suicide event was instructed. The cult’s suicide acceptance demonstrated the consequence of obedience. Jones’ authority was absolute that anything he said was fulfilled or else the fear of barbarous punishment would taunt the members. Without the worshipers devotion to Jim Jones, also known as obedience, the People’s Temple would be
Religion is commonly passed on from generation to generation like a family heirloom. Traditions do allow for a sense of culture, but is this tradition of passing on religion brainwashing children? Like discussed in the Jonestown case, conformity, obedience, and cognitive dissonance also play a role on this topic. In an article about by Michael Rennier titled, “Is Teaching Kids Religion Brainwashing them?” he discusses the effect on children who are born into a religious family. These children are often raised to conform to the religious ideals practiced by their parents with no choice. It has become a requirement for many households, which consequently causes conformity. Obedience is shown when households punish those who reject the family’s religious belief, or when rituals such as praying and going to Sunday mass are expected. However, children might experience cognitive dissonance if found to be in a situation where they do not completely believe or agree with the religious ideals of the family. Brainwashing children with religion starts from the day one is born. In some religions children are automatically confirmed to the family church at a young, mindless age or sometimes even forced