High Pressure Groups

HIGH PRESSURE GROUPS

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There are groups.... and there are high-pressure groups.

It's a good feeling to be wanted. And, it's flattering to be asked to join a group. Now that you're in college, you'll find yourself invited to spend your time with lots of organizations... fraternities, sororities, intramural teams, clubs and organizations of all kinds. Some rely on your free choice for joining while others use persistent recruiting efforts to win you over.

Among the clubs and organizations you'll find numerous religious, political, and social groups. Some are well organized, and some are very informal. Choosing to belong to various groups is an important decision in your life while you attend UCLA. We want to offer you some information that will help you make an informed, free choice about such groups.

At any given point in time on the campus there are several organized and informal religious, political or social groups that use high-pressure recruiting tactics. Listing names would be a waste of time since the names of the groups change frequently. However, you can identify these groups by what they do.

Why Are High Pressure Groups So Harmful?

They tend to isolate you from family, friends and other groups.
They may ask you to give up control of your life, thoughts and decisions.
They tend to focus on guilt and shame.
They may promote crises with school, your career or your love life.
They may resort to frightening you to the point that you stop making decisions and asking questions for yourself.

When Will I Be Recruited?

College is a world with many decisions, anxieties and pressures. There are times when you may be homesick, feel unloved or overwhelmed, or believe you will never straighten out you life. Learning to cope with such feelings and keeping them in proper perspective is an opportunity college provides. Yet, is is at these times that high-pressure religious groups tend to seek you out and begin recruiting.

How Can I Identify These High-Pressure Groups?

Observe the group's responses to you and how you feel. If you can answer "yes" to any three o these statements, you should seriously reconsider your involvement.

The group seems to be perfect. Everyone agrees and follows all orders cheerfully.
The group claims to have "all the answers" to your problems.
You are asked to recruit new members soon after joining.
You begin to feel guilty and ashamed, unworthy as a person.
The group encourages you to put their meetings and activities before all other commitments, including studying.
The group speaks in a derogatory way about your past religious, social or political affiliations.
Your parents and friends are defined as unable to understand or help you with religious, political or other matters.
Doubts and questions are seen as signs of weak faith or commitment. You are shunned if you persist in these doubts.
Leadership of the group is mostly male, and males in general are believed to have different rights and abilities than females.
You are invited on a retreat with the group, but they can't give you an overview of the purpose, theme or activities before you go.

You Are Most Vulnerable To High-Pressure Groups When...

You are lonely.

You are homesick for familiar friends and places.

Your roommate is always out with other friends.

You miss your significant other who is at another school.

You are Hurting.

Your friends forget to get you a seat at a concert.

You just had a phone-fight with your family.

You are grieving over a person or relationship.

You are having a tough time socially.

Everyone has a date for an important social event except you.

You haven't been recruited by anyone for anything.

It's the same dull routine of dinner, homework and bed.

You are in trouble academically.

You feel like a failure because you are failing one or more courses.

You are under pressure to improve your grades.

You are embarrassed because you've never had C's and D's in your life until now.

Remember, these feelings and reactions can be confronted, put into proper focus and overcome. They are, however, uncomfortable if left unattended... and they're a clear invitation to high-pressure recruiters.

You Can Take Steps To Deal With High-Pressure Groups.

Reach out and get the opinion of someone you trust who is not a member of the group, such as a friend. professor, parent, counselor, or a member of the clergy.

Find out about new religious groups from your church, temple, or synagogue back home.
Don't be afraid to ask questions! Be skeptical. Don't accept evasive answers.
Don't be afraid to take a stand.
Learn to say "NO".
Examine yourself; are you vulnerable?
Think before you go to a meeting to check it out. Will you get a clear picture?
Call the phone numbers on this page for help and information.

Where Can You Get Help...

If you want to talk about groups of this sort or you have questions you would like to ask, here are some places you can contact on campus that will listen to you.

The Center for Student Programming

The University Religious Conference

(310) 825-7014

(310) 208-5055

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