The Self-Concept of Rajneeshpuram Commune Members

This study reports on a long-term research project of the former, and controversial, Rajneeshpuram commune. This project (the only systematic empirical study of the group ever undertaken) began in 1982 and continued until the commune's demise in late 1985. The relationship between the individual member's psychological processes and the commune's belief system was examined through the assessment of member's self-concept. The Public, Private, and Social Anxiety sub-scales of the Self-Consciousness Scale ana the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were administered to 230 commune members, who scored significantly higher than the general population in self-esteem. Subjects also scored high on the Private Self-Consciousness Scale, but low on the Social Anxiety and Public Self-Consciousness Scales. The score in Private Self-Consciousness accords with the movement's belief that self-exploration is a legitimate and respectable avocation, but it contradicts the stereotypical notion that members of new religions or cults are easily persuaded.