http://www.skeptic.com/mag82.html

In the current issue of Skeptic Magazine, there is a very good (and long) article titled: “BROUGHT INTO THE FOLD: Scientology as a Case Study on Influence and Persuasion in Religion” by Daniel E. Martin.

Martin’s article focuses on the use of influence and persuasion used on potential religious recruits… in order to survive and compete against other religions for adherents. Martin posed as a potential Scientology recruit at the Washington, D.C. org in April 1997.

In Martin’s article, he refers to the influence tactics utilized (and abused) by Scientologists which falls into 4 categories:

(1) Social validation (2) Friendship/Liking (3) Authority (4) Reciprocation