Research Catalog

Prophetic charisma : the psychology of revolutionary religious personalities

Title
Prophetic charisma : the psychology of revolutionary religious personalities / Len Oakes ; with a foreword by Sarah Hamilton-Byrne.
Author
Oakes, Len.
Publication
Syracuse, N.Y. : Syracuse University Press, 1997.

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Details

Description
xiii, 246 pages; 24 cm
Summary
  • Len Oakes explores the phenomenon of cult leaders. He examines the psychology of charisma and proposes his own theory of the five-stage life cycle of the two types of prophets: the messianic and charismatic. Often characterized by isolation, autonomy, grandiosity, and manipulativeness, Oakes maintains that the cult leader has a narcissistic personality. This individual possesses a heightened empathy, confidence, and memory, as well as autonomy and detachment - while appearing disquietingly normal most of the time. The author has interviewed several leaders whom, he feels, exemplify the charismatic personality. He also provides insight into the behavior and personality of many well-known cult leaders such as Jim Jones, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, L. Ron Hubbard, Werner Erhard, Kathryn Kuhlman, and J.H. Noyes.
  • For eleven years, Oakes was a member of a charismatic communal group, during which time he simultaneously undertook his research into the psychology of charisma. His results - informed by both insider and academic viewpoints - contradicts many current accepted beliefs about cult leaders and their followers.
Subject
  • Prophets > Psychology
  • Charisma (Personality trait)
  • Religious leaders > Psychology
  • Cults > Psychology
  • Cults > Psychology
  • Prophets > Psychology
  • Religious leaders > Psychology
  • Charisma
  • Prophet
  • Psychologie
  • Religiöser Führer
  • Godsdienstige bewegingen
  • Charisma
  • Leiderschap
Note
  • New Zealand author.
Bibliography (note)
  • Includes bibliographical references (p. 215-233) and index.
Contents
Foreword / Sarah Hamilton-Byrne -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Charisma -- 3. Stage One: Early Narcissism -- 4. Stage Two: Incubation -- 5. Stage Three: Awakening -- 6. Stage Four: Mission -- 7. The Followers and Their Quest -- 8. The Charismatic Moment -- 9. The Soul of the Prophet -- 10. Stage Five: Decline or Fall? -- 11. Conclusions -- App. A. On Theory and Method -- App. B. Leaders and Groups Studied.
ISBN
  • 0815627009
  • 9780815627005
  • 0815603983
  • 9780815603986
LCCN
97020929
OCLC
  • ocm36900978
  • 36900978
  • SCSB-350369
Owning Institutions
Princeton University Library