Jim Jones Sociological Perspective

The mass suicide, that took place under the authority of Reverend Jim Jones can be explained from a sociological point of view. By analyzing at how the groups dynamic played an important role on this outcome we get a better idea of the massacre. The sociological approach is one way to explain this horrible event.
Jim Jones could be described as charismatic, he had the charisma to make people believe he was leading them the right way and developed a sense of trustworthiness. He was abusive, authoritarian and manipulative. He described himself as “God like” by making others believe he had the power to heal and give them the “promise land” he talked about. His social status also made him have more power by having the title of “reverend”.The massacre of Jonestown could be viewed as the consequence of obedience, leading to his manipulation. Whatever Jones commanded the people obeyed. But why let one single person manipulate over 1,000 people? in my opinion it started one by one and even if some objected they were now forced by others around them. Society has taught us that whatever others do we have to do it as well. People felt pressure and thought they could have been punished if they didn't follow the rules.
Jim Jones took over them, scared them and also isolated them from reality.
He made the people believe that the “outside” was a threat for them that they were safe with him. He also included that the American government wanted to hurt them when in reality he was hurting them ever more. Jones manipulated them in various ways, he took away their passports/money, custody of all children,food and sleep deprivation and also physical and sexual abuse. His wife and his son knew Jones was a fraud while his adoptive son always saw him as a good person and never doubted him. This just shows how different people’s mentality work, some are weaker than others and others know when something isn't
right. What led Jim Jones to this horrific act? looking back at his childhood we may see some points of where things went wrong for him. He once stated that his father tried to killed him and his mother was not any better, she worked in a factory and was rarely home . With such a hard beginning Jones life continued to be a never ending battle, a battle with himself. Jim Jones used threats against the people so they could obey and to make sure they didn't rebel against him . The people of Jonestown couldn't do any more but to obey Jones, they were left with few options. They worked for long hours, lack of sleep, poor diet and experience threats from Jones. By the time of the mass massacre it was now impossible to go against his word yet i'm sure many wanted to resist or escape.