Arthur Deikman's prime and particular contribution, apart…
““Arthur Deikman's prime and particular contribution, apart from drawing attention to the problem, was to point out how much cultish behaviour goes on unrecognised, in, for instance, business life or in apparently harmless organisations, religious or philanthropic. It is useful to ask oneself the question: do I feel superior because I belong to - whatever it is? Do I look down on people outside? Perhaps the most easily seen feature of a cult s that: WE are better than THEM. It is salutary to recognise how often in a day we feel disapproval or superiority, matching ourselves with 'outsiders'...””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage highlights how subtle superiority and exclusion can mirror cult dynamics in everyday groups, urging self‑examination of elitist attitudes.
In simple terms: We often feel superior in groups, similar to cult behavior.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge feelings of superiority.
Themes
psychology
social dynamics
elitism
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
self‑aware
When to use this quote
- workplace meetings
- social clubs
- online communities
Key Concepts
group identity
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you felt superior without realizing?
- How can you foster inclusive attitudes?
A Different Perspective
Superiority can be unconscious and hard to detect.