- Questioning, doubt and dissent are discouraged or even punished
- Mind-altering practices are used in excess to suppress doubts (corporate-speak counts)
- The group is elitist
- The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society
- The leader is not accountable to any authorities
- The group teaches or implies that the ends justify the means
- The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt in order to influence and control members
- The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members
- The group is preoccupied with making money
- Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group
- Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members
- The most loyal members feel there can be no life outside the context of the group