Charles Manson, cults and music as weapon

Cults recruit based on many factors. Doing my final Behavior Economics Master’s thesis [sad it’s done], I find these studies on music, purchasing factors, cults and propaganda.

As you can imagine, I went down a rabbit hole. It was difficult to narrow the material to use.

Talking with people, I found it fascinating how most didn’t have any idea that as humans, we are easier to be influenced by our environment.

I recall the 80’s

Ok, this shows I am not only old; I am vintage, LOL.

We had the vinyl [original], double cassette tape; we recorded music from the radio, no cellphones, and the exposure to all the conspiracy theories imagination can buy.

In the 1980s, several rock and heavy metal bands were accused of promoting Satanic messages in their music, often as part of the broader “Satanic Panic” phenomenon.

• Judas Priest: The band faced a high-profile lawsuit in 1985 after two teenagers attempted suicide, allegedly influenced by subliminal messages in their Stained Class album. Although the case was dismissed, it fueled accusations of Satanic influence in their music
• Mercyful Fate: Fronted by King Diamond, a member of the Church of Satan, this band openly embraced occult and Satanic themes in their lyrics and imagery. Songs like “Black Funeral” and “The Oath” exemplified their connection to such themes
• Slayer: Known for tracks like “The Antichrist,” Slayer frequently used Satanic imagery as part of their aesthetic. However, band members later clarified that this was more about creating a provocative image than genuine belief
• Venom: Often credited with pioneering black metal, Venom released songs like “In League with Satan,” which explicitly referenced devil worship. Their over-the-top approach was both shocking and influential within the metal scene
• Led Zeppelin: Although not a heavy metal band, they were accused of embedding Satanic backmasked messages in songs like “Stairway to Heaven.” These claims were widely dismissed by the band and critics as unfounded

These bands weren’t satanic or cult recruiters, but it is a meaning that is not too far away from reality.

Emotional Responses Induced by Music

A 2020 study identified 13 emotions that can be triggered using music. The study examined the feelings evoked by 2,168 musical excerpts in the United States and China.

2,500 people participated in the study, and 1,841 musical examples were used.

Link to the study with the musical examples used and a visualization.

The 13 specific feelings are:

Affirmative Emotions: Euphoria, tranquility, aesthetic appreciation, victory, humor.

Adverse Emotions: Melancholy, apprehension, fear, and irritation.

Intricate Emotions: Rebellion, reverie, sensuality.

For example:

Upbeat melodies, characterized by fast tempos and major chords, evoke joy and vitality.

Melancholic violin music often evokes sadness.

Heavy metal is associated with rebellion and anger.

Source:Cowen, A. S., Fang, X., Sauter, D., & Keltner, D. (2020). What music makes us feel: At least 13 dimensions organize subjective experiences associated with music across different cultures.

Check the link to the emotional map from the study

https://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~acowen/music.html#

Cognitive Processes

The emotions aroused by music originate in various psychological mechanisms:

Brainstem Reflex: Essential auditory attributes indicate urgency or importance (e.g., abrupt or loud noises).

Musical Expectation: Deviations or affirmations of anticipation generate tension and resolution.

Evaluative Conditioning: The repeated association of music with positive or negative stimuli elicits conditioned emotional responses.

Emotional Contagion: Audiences internally replicate the emotional expressions conveyed by music.

Episodic Memory: Music evokes memories associated with particular life events.

Visual Imagery: Audiences evoke visions or landscapes when experiencing music.

With these points set, let’s talk about the dark side of the music.

Music as a Weapon

In interviews with Charles Manson’s followers, they brought to light the dark side of the use and correlation between music and manipulation.

Manson began his musical career after his release from prison in the 1960s. He composed and performed folk-influenced songs, often imbued with themes of defiance, subjugation, and social criticism. These songs embodied his philosophy and served as a vehicle for recruiting and inspiring followers. Songs like “Look at Your Game Girl” exploit the anxieties of young women, portraying Manson’s emancipatory concept.

Manson performed for his followers at the Spahn Ranch, using music to create an intimate, almost hypnotic atmosphere. His songs often conveyed implicit messages of submission and loyalty, which reinforced his control over the group.

Manson studied various channels to manipulate people, including the channels used throughout history. More specifically, manipulation and propaganda

Manipulation, propaganda, and music

Music has been a powerful propaganda tool throughout history thanks to its ability to evoke emotions, unify audiences, and convey messages in memorable and often subtle ways.

Mechanisms and logic behind the use of music in propaganda

The use of music in propaganda

Emotional Manipulation:

Music immediately arouses emotions, bypassing rational cognition. This makes it an effective tool for spreading ideological messages or inciting national passion. During World War II, both the Axis and Allied powers used music to boost morale and foster national unity. Musical compositions from the “Great American Songbook” fostered a sense of unity among Americans, while Nazi Germany used Wagner’s operas to exalt Aryan values.

Facilitating Unity and Collective Identity: Music cultivates a sense of belonging and community identity. In totalitarian regimes, collective singing was frequently used to cultivate loyalty and reaffirm community values. The Hitler Youth used songs to foster community cohesion and indoctrinate German youth in Nazi ideology.

Simplifying Complex Communications:

Propaganda often relies on the reiteration of straightforward messages. Music, characterized by its repetitive forms and memorable melodies, is ideal for instilling slogans or ideological ideas in the public consciousness. Soviet revolutionary songs featured simple lyrics intended to propagate communist ideals.

Subtle Persuasion:

Music used as propaganda can be nuanced, which reduces the likelihood of being considered manipulative. Jacques Ellul observed that the recreational nature of music allows it to convey propaganda messages discreetly. This nuance makes music a powerful tool in democratic settings, especially during political campaigns, as songs are selected to correspond to a candidate’s personality or principles.

Media Versatility:

Music can be broadcast across multiple platforms (radio, film, concerts, and recordings), allowing it to effectively reach a wide audience. During World Wars I and II, radio broadcasts contributed significantly to the global dissemination of propaganda music.

Historical Examples

Nazi Germany:

The government used Wagner’s operas and folk songs to spread Aryan values and promote social cohesion through activities such as collective singing in the Hitler Youth. Soviet Union:

Revolutionary anthems exalted the Communist Party while suppressing Western influences considered ideologically harmful.

World War II Allies used patriotic songs to unify communities and soldiers while demoralizing adversaries through broadcasts such as “Tokyo Rose” in Japan.

Contemporary Political Campaigns:

In modern democracies, music is used in rallies and advertisements to build the identity of candidates and influence voter opinions.

Conclusion:

Music’s ability to fuse emotional intensity with cultural significance makes it a persistent instrument of propaganda throughout many historical eras and political regimes. Its effectiveness lies in its ability to discreetly shape ideas while simultaneously promoting cohesion and action among its audiences.

Movies, shows, advertisements, supermarkets, wherever you look, music is used to persuade emotions and stimulate customers to buy.

Next article I will tell you how music can increase purchase tendencies to up 330% [CRAZY, NO???]

Do you want to know how the information and studies in this article can help you, your team, and the products you sell?

Contact Kim Olesker — Chief Business Officer to explore which training or consulting is better for you — kim@susanibitz.com -219–343–2255 Ext 102.

About the author:

Susan is a former political influence consultant, profiler, and civilian hostage negotiator, with expertise, studies and Master’s in Human Behavior, Behavior Economics, Neuroscience and a nerd for data. Susan works on the humans that grow your business | High-performance Human Behavior training- I teach corporations & employees how to hack into humans using Behavior, Neuroscience & Persuasion |Behavior Economics

She has been called Freaky and the top expert on her field, by the Chicago Tribune and Psychology Today, by showing how to profile anyone in 30 seconds.

She is the author and researcher of “Irrational Humans. People Make 35,000 Decisions a Day and 95% are Irrational, but Why & How?”

Topics:

• Body Language
• Microexpressions
• Behavior Economics
• Neuroscience
• Consumer Behavior
• Persuasion
• Influence
• Behavior Science
• How people make decisions
• Irrational Behaviors