Reasons for the emergence of sects,
cults, NRM's and NAM's
Weber - marginality - answer Those on the margins of society are most likely to join
sects. Believe they've been denied opportunities and income they deserve. Their new
status as the "chosen few" gives them hope for their future (could explain appeal of
NRM's to young and ethnic minorities)
Stark and Bainbridge - Relative Deprivation - answer Relative deprivation is the
deprivation or loss that people feel. NRM's provide a sense of community and support.
This explains the appeal to MC people who are lacking spiritual meaning.
Wilson - Social Change - answer Sects tend to emerge in periods of social change,
leading to social dislocation which creates an anomie (feeling of normlessness as there
are no guidelines in place). NRM's have defined belief systems and strict moral codes
which provide certainty and direction.
Weber - Rationalization - answer The meanings and motives which direct action in
modern industrial society are rational. This lead to the removal of religious experience
and the sacred. Many NRM's and NAM's formed due to this, as they claim to make the
world less rational and more magical.
Latch - self-improvement - answerNAM'S appeal to people who have a concern to the
self and how to improve it. People are encouraged to make themselves better physically
and psychologically.
Heelas - pragmatic motives - answerIdentifies a group whom NRM's and NAM's appeal
to, calls them "new age professionals". Scientology, for example, claims to improve an
individual's success in personal and work relationships.
Spiritual Void - answerAs a result of the decline in the importance of established
religion, people feel alternative belief systems to explain the world and some of its
problems. Leads to people 'spiritually shopping'
Wallis - social changes - answerIdentified a number of social changes which may have
led to growth of NRM's. Growth of higher education - lengthening time spent in
education and period of transition between childhood and adulthood. Political
movements. Development of technology.
Criticisms - answerBarker shows that many NRM's and NAM's are unsuccessful at
keeping members.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller julianah420. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $15.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.