Cult of Perceived Victimhood

The Cult of Perceived Victimhood: Gendered Bias, Collective Targeting, and the Ethics of Non-Participation

Abstract:

This paper investigates the socio-psychological mechanism by which gendered assumptions of victimhood are weaponized to mobilize collective moral action against a perceived abuser. Using frameworks from social psychology, cognitive science, and sociology of belief, it argues that such dynamics often operate under the radar of critical scrutiny. The paper proposes detachment—not neutrality—as an ethical and psychological stance to resist being subsumed into systems of manufactured blame and social persecution.

Introduction

In the contemporary social climate, especially online and within identity-driven movements, perceived victimhood has become a powerful moral currency. This paper examines the dynamics through which individuals, particularly women, may be automatically perceived as victims within conflict narratives. While such assumptions arise from legitimate efforts to address gender-based violence, they can be exploited to establish power through moral alignment, leading to targeted social persecution.

Section I: Gendered Perception and the “Innocent Victim” Archetype

Scholars such as Deborah Tannen (1990) and Carol Gilligan (1982) have discussed the gendered styles of communication and moral development. These insights help explain why, in many social narratives, women are more likely to be cast in the role of the injured party. Research on benevolent sexism (Glick & Fiske, 1996) supports the idea that protective attitudes toward women can reinforce the assumption of female innocence or victimhood.

Section II: The Weaponization of Belief and Group Morality

Social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979) explains how in-group favoritism and out-group derogation are used to enforce group cohesion. In a digital or small-community environment, when a person claims abuse, others may engage in belief convergence (Festinger, 1957) or confirmation bias (Nickerson, 1998), collectively affirming the narrative without critical engagement. The accuser is thus empowered not through truth but through the mobilization of belief.

Section III: Psychological Manipulation and Cultic Dynamics

Echoing Lifton’s (1961) work on thought reform and Hassan’s (1990) on cult psychology, this paper identifies key markers of cult-like behavior in these social dynamics:

• Us-vs-them rhetoric

• Moral absolutism

• Enforced consensus

• Targeted scapegoating

These behaviors mirror moral panic (Cohen, 1972), where societal actors unite to persecute an “enemy” that represents a threat to the collective moral order.

Section IV: The Role of Cognitive Entrenchment and Bias

Once participants emotionally invest in a given social narrative, cognitive dissonance (Festinger, 1957) makes it difficult to accept contradicting evidence. The transition from observer to participant introduces bias, rendering objectivity impossible. This process is akin to what Kahneman (2011) described as fast thinking—intuitive, emotionally-driven, and often flawed in judgment.

Section V: Detachment as an Ethical Position

Drawing on Stoic philosophy and modern psychological detachment (Hayes et al., 2006), this paper argues that the refusal to participate in polarized dynamics is not apathy, but an active ethical stance. By not participating in reactive blame culture, individuals preserve both moral integrity and psychological clarity.

Conclusion

In a society increasingly driven by perception rather than inquiry, ethical non-participation becomes a radical act. When belief is mobilized as a tool for social control, especially under the guise of justice, critical detachment becomes essential—not as escapism, but as resistance to manipulation.

4. Index of Relevant Sources

1. Gilligan, Carol – In a Different Voice (1982)
   Explores gender differences in moral development, emphasizing relational and contextual approaches common in female psychological narratives.
2. Tannen, Deborah – You Just Don’t Understand: Women and Men in Conversation (1990)
   Examines gendered communication patterns and how misinterpretation of intent can arise from sociolinguistic differences.
3. Glick, Peter & Fiske, Susan – The Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (1996)
   Introduces the concept of benevolent sexism, describing how protective attitudes toward women can paradoxically reinforce inequality and bias.
4. Tajfel, Henri & Turner, John – The Social Identity Theory of Intergroup Behavior (1979)
   Describes how group membership forms the basis of identity, leading to in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination.
5. Festinger, Leon – A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance (1957)
   Lays the foundation for understanding how conflicting beliefs cause psychological discomfort, leading individuals to rationalize their behavior or beliefs.
6. Nickerson, Raymond – Confirmation Bias: A Ubiquitous Phenomenon in Many Guises (1998)
   Analyzes the pervasive tendency to interpret information in ways that confirm pre-existing beliefs or hypotheses.
7. Janis, Irving – Groupthink (1972)
   Defines the psychological phenomenon of group decision-making that prioritizes consensus over critical analysis, often leading to poor outcomes.
8. Kahneman, Daniel – Thinking, Fast and Slow (2011)
   Details the dual-system theory of cognition, distinguishing between intuitive (fast) and deliberative (slow) thinking, with relevance to bias and belief formation.
9. Goffman, Erving – The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life (1956)
   Explores how individuals perform roles in everyday interactions, shaping perceptions and social narratives.
10. Cohen, Stanley – Folk Devils and Moral Panics (1972)
    Analyzes how societies construct scapegoats and moral panics through media and collective action.
11. Lifton, Robert Jay – Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism (1961)
    Identifies the core psychological techniques used in ideological indoctrination and cult behavior.
12. Hassan, Steven – Combatting Cult Mind Control (1990)
    Discusses the psychological mechanisms of manipulation and offers strategies for identifying and resisting coercive group influence.
13. Hayes, Steven C., et al. – Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change (2006)
    Introduces ACT as a psychological framework emphasizing detachment, mindfulness, and values-based living to combat cognitive entrenchment.