The sunk cost fallacy, which describes people's tendency to continue investing in losing propositions because of their prior investments, helps explain why individuals remain in cults even when faced with red flags. Former Jonestown member Laura Johnston Kohl admitted to ignoring warning signs about Jim Jones due to the time and effort she had already dedicated to the cause. "I let him address my priorities, and put blinders on for other things," she said. Even after the tragic ending, Laura continued to seek the sense of community Jonestown had promised. The more someone has sacrificed for a cult, the harder it becomes to acknowledge that their investment was misplaced.
Section: 1, Chapter: 5
Books about Culture
Language
Society
Culture
Cultish Book Summary
Amanda Montell
In "Cultish," Amanda Montell explores the fascinating world of cults and how their persuasive language and techniques permeate our everyday lives, from religious sects to fitness trends to multi-level marketing schemes.
Sociology
Culture
Psychology
Technology
Society
Superbloom Book Summary
Nicholas Carr
With rich psychological insights and vivid examples drawn from history and science, Superbloom provides both a panoramic view of how media shapes society and an intimate examination of the fate of the self in a time of radical dislocation. It may be too late to change the system, Carr counsels, but it’s not too late to change ourselves.
