Dole, Arthur A., Ph.D.: "Is The New Age Movement Harmless? Critics Versus Experts"

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Is the New Age Movement Harmless? Critics Versus Experts

Cultic Studies Journal
Psychological Manipulation and Society
Vol. 10, No. 1, 1992

Arthur A. Dole, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania

Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.
American Family Foundation
Steve K. Dubrow-Eichel, Ph.D.
RETIRN

Abstract

Following an earlier study of the views of critics of the New Age Movement (Dole, Langone, & Dubrow-Eichel, 1990), in this article we examine the opinions of a panel of 85 "Experts" believed to be sympathetic to the New Age. The panel consisted of executives from New Age publications and other companies, astrologers, psychics, teacher/trainers, chiropractors, and others. Experts responded to a questionnaire inquiring into their familiarity with New Age, cult and occult terms, their beliefs, their opinions on definitional statements concerning the New Age, their opinions on the importance of scientific research to understanding the New Age, and their opinions on practices commonly associated with New Age, cult, or occult groups. When compared with 58 Critics, Experts disagreed substantially and significantly on 21 out of 26 factor scores derived from the questionnaire. Critics were uniformly negative toward factor scores measuring practices, beliefs, and cult, occult, and related terms; Experts tended toward neutral or moderately negative ratings. Implications of these findings are discussed.

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Resources

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Chambers, Robert, Ph.D. et al.: "The Group Psychological Abuse Scale" - abs
Dole, Arthur A., Ph.D. "How We Rescued Our Daughter"
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Dole, Arthur A., Ph.D.: "Is The New Age Movement Harmless? Critics Versus Experts" - abs
Dole, Arthur A., Ph.D.: "Is The New Age Movement Harmless? Critics Versus Experts" - abs
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