NXIVM and Heaven’s Gate Cults Used Common Persuasion Methods December 21, 2020 by Alan Jern Ph.D. Why would someone join a cult? Two recent docuseries about the NXIVM and Heaven's Gate cults suggest they used similar, effective persuasion principles we're all susceptible to. Coming of Age, Again, as a Widower Can Oral Microbes Cause Dementia? Alan Jern Ph.D. Related articles Our Beliefs Bias What We…Our Beliefs Bias What We…How to Effectively Discuss Diagnosis…Yes—We are Divided, But It’s…A Culture Obsessed with BlameWounded Healer: Rollo May’s Psycho-Spiritual…When Twitter Banned TrumpDo You Often Feel Disappointed…Mirror Mirror on the Wall,…Why Disinformation Campaigns Are Dangerous