Jonestown The Life And Death Of Peoples Temple Summary

Social psychology: 'Jonestown The Life And Death Of Peoples Temple 2006
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Summary
The documentary 'Jonestown The Life And Death Of Peoples Temple focuses on the emergence and fall of Jim Jones the leader of Peoples Temple who advised his followers to drink poison in mass suicide. Through interviews with people who personally knew Jones as well as footage showing the incident, the documentary weaves a story on events leading to the death of more than 100 followers in Guyana. Interview from some of the childhood friends of Jones showed that he was fascinated with religion and death, and this could explain his control of the religious cult and the doomsday event that finally led to his fall.
Social psychology themes
One of the strategies that Jones relied on was persuasion, with the church attracting people from diverse backgrounds and social classes. The multiethnic congregation was won over by his proclamations because of his charisma and message. By promoting racial integration, Jones appealed to the downtrodden and progressive elements of the society who have felt out of place in mainstream churches. Surprisingly Jones preached against the prevailing notions about capitalist elements in the society, and by promising a utopian socialist promised land, his followers were encouraged to follow in his ideals. However persuasion was also exercised with some form of control over the congregation, as he was seen as a father figure.
Even though, the members were from diverse backgrounds, those who felt neglected or needing were most attracted to the church. This was no coincidence and to appeal to elderly, disillusioned, urban black poor and former drug addicts, then seeming to offer hope helped to persuade the followers. As a man having total control over his followers, Jones knew that restricting access to information would endear him to the people, who would not question his ways. In Jamestown, Jones cultivated an environment where contradiction to his message was quickly rebuffed, and sources of such information attacked for there lack of credibility.
The authoritarian nature of Jimmy Jones leadership was essential to maintaining total control over the congregation. There is no doubt that Jones had influence over the follower influenced their lives, and his statements were taken to be the gospel truth. In order to achieve his desires Jones enormous power was exercised at will, meaning that his followers did not question his motives. As a charismatic leader Jones convinced his followers that he indeed possessed special powers, and this message resonated with his followers when they were guided on participating in the mass suicide. In any case, charismatic leaders tend to invoke deep loyalty from their followers.
The case for understanding how self-justification led to the massacre also shows the power and influence and authority that Joins held over the followers. In Jamestown the followers had little choice other than follow the...