The Manson Family, Cults, and the Psychology of Commitment

Dr. Patrick O'Reilly, Asst. Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UCSF, will recount the history and creation of the Manson Family, the family's crimes, and the psychological commitment mechanisms that cause people to join (and stay in) cults.
 
Dr. Patrick O'Reilly is a clinical psychologist at Napa State Hospital and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco. He is co-author of the book Undue Influence: Cons, Scams, and Mind Control, and is particularly well versed in the inner workings of cults, having joined one to study it for his doctoral dissertation. Dr. O'Reilly is former Chair of Bay Area Skeptics and Past President of the San Francisco Psychological Association. 

Presented as a FREE public service by the Bay Area Skeptics.  Because we're curious creatures.