http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-28936251 "The first rule: The sheepdog learns how to make the sheep come together in a flock. The second rule: Whenever the sheep are in a tightly knit group, the dog pushes them forwards." cult members are often considered to be like sheep just doing whatever the cult leader says to do. I'm wondering if the above 2 rules apply to how cults manage their members. I think it's common sense correct. If the members start doing their own thing a bit too much, you preach some threatening sermon about how important it is to follow the leader. Once you've got most everybody in line, then you head them off to the task you want them to perform. It's a balance between threatening and guiding.