IKaren Pressley with Miriam Boeri, Ph.D. presented:

“The Hegemonic Communication Model:
The Power Dynamics in the Emergence of a Secret Creative Self“

International Cultic Studies Association
Annual International Conference, New York City, July 1-3, 2010
"Psychological Manipulation, Cultic Groups, and Harm"

Karen's ICSA speaker profile

WATCH VIDEO of ICSA attendees:
Cult counselor and author Steve Hassan
with ex-Scientologists Karen Pressley
and anti-cult activist and attorney Paul Grosswald

About “The Hegemonic Communication Model: The Power Dynamics
in the Emergence of a Secret Creative Self“

See the powerpoint presentation
See ICSA's session description
Flier, "The Impact of Cults on Creativity" and "The Hegemonic Communication Model"

This presentation is based on the authors' article, "Creativity and Cults from Sociological and Communication Perspectives: The Processes Involved in the Birth of a Secret Creative Self" in a forthcoming issue of Cultic Studies Review, "The Last Draw - Cults and Creativity," pp. 1-40.

Authors Karen Pressley and Miriam Boeri explore the process of personal renaissance through the emergence of one's secret creative self out of the trappings of authoritarian religions, specifically those known as cults. Some religious groups have honored and praised artists and the arts as a means to lure recruits into their ranks. Sometimes this is done in the name of changing the world by injecting aesthetics into the culture--only to lead the faithful into a subtle lair where leaders manipulate creative expression for their personal benefit or the "sake of the group." In a cultic environment, the processes of creativity development and suppression are more easily detectable since the acts of suppression are often more openly expressed and the acts of creation are more often controlled.

In this paper, the authors explore the phases in this process. Boeri and Pressley use their own case studies as former members of the Children of God (Family of Love) and the Church of Scientology. These first-person accounts describe their experiences in authoritarian cults and explore the power dynamics of total institutions that constrain members' creativity. They identify turning points that influenced their decisions to reject or accept the cult's practices, and their discovery of the emergence of a secret creative self once they were out of the cult. The paper employs interrelated sociological and cultural studies theories to explore the processes involved, including a symbolic interactionist understanding of self.

Pressley and Boeri present their development of the creative self and secret creative self (figure 1) using the symbolic interaction theory as they uniquely applied to a cult environment. They also presented their development of the "Hegemonic Communication Model" (figure 2) that illustrates the thought process a cult member may use to cope with power, hegemony, sovereignty, and the creative self. They hope that a more thorough examination of this process will better help others to detect destructive religious practices and help former members to break free from legalism (Scientology is a totalitarian, legalistic organization) that suppresses creativity and free thought.

 

Our presentation was preceded by a paper from Dana Wehle, L.C.S.W.
“The Impact of Cults on Creativity: Psychological, Sociological Aesthetic/Philosophical Views”
About Dana Wehle x
See flier describing Dana's topic
About the New York Cult Hotline and Clinic at 212-632-4640

 

 

back to About Karen Pressley