Alcohol research

The “Crisis Cult” as a Voluntary Association: An Interactional Approach to Alcoholics Anonymous, Sadler P, Human Organization, Vol. 38(2), 207-219, Summer, 1977

“In a recent paper Madsen (1974) has indicated that the "crisis cult” concept is useful for understanding some aspects of Alcoholics Anonymous (hereafter, AA). "Crisis cult" typically is used in a specialized way in the anthropological literature, and Madsen demonstrates an awareness of this usage, defining crisis cults as spiritually toned movements, frequently the "last desperate effort by conquered aborigines to negate the destructive power of their conquerors"(1974:27).

It is my contention that Madsen's reference to AA as a crisis cult constitutes the overextension of a useful term. The purpose of this article is to point out limitations of the crisis cult approach and to suggest a broader anthropological perspective for the study of AA. The scheme that will be developed is an interactional one which is well suited for understanding AA as a voluntary association.

Although Madsen gives an excellent account of some aspects of AA, he does not develop support for his usage of the crisis cult label. Thus he appears to use the term as an attention-getting device rather than as a scholarly assessment.”

See also Links and downloads

PS For AA Minority Report 2013 click here

 

PPS To use “comment” system simply click on “Comments” tab below this article and sign in. All comments go through a moderation stage