Destructive nature of manipulative content, created by leaders of totalitarian pseudo-religious cults

Abstract

Purpose of the study is the analysis characteristics of the manipulative content, created by members of the totalitarian pseudoreligious groups, as well as the consideration of the manipulative techniques, which the criminals use to destructively influence both individual and social consciousness in pursuit of achieving their goals, constitutes the purpose of this study. The materialistic theory of knowledge, as well as the fundamental principles of philosophy and the legal theory, formed the methodological frameworks of this work. The theoretical principles of psychological and sociological knowledge were based on the concept of a systematic (holistic) study of a personality from the holistic (gestalt) standpoint. The manipulative content, which the members of the totalitarian pseudo-religious groups post on social networks, evidently shows all signs of the hidden psychological impacts aimed at both conscious and unconscious components of the human psyche. Those who create such content actively use the resources of the well-known search engines, adapting them to their specific needs. When rites and ceremonies are performed, manipulative in-fluences are mixed in nature (being verbal, visual, and kinesthetic) and are deeply traumatic for the participants’ psyche. While sustainable development is impossible without creating a safe environment in the broadest context.