Sociobiology and informal social controls of drinking: findings from two charismatic sects.

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Abstract
To explore psychological aspects of affiliation with a large group through which drinking norms are controlled, 119 members of the Divine Light Mission and 341 members and potential members of the Unification Church were studied. Members of both sects completed questionnaires in which they rated their symptoms of neurotic distress, their level of affiliation with members and nonmembers of their group and their frequency of alcohol use. The 237 members of the Unification Church also rated their religious beliefs and general well-being. To clarify the nature of induction into one of these groups, 104 persons attending a workshop sponsored by the Unification Church were asked to answer questions about general well-being, affiliation with members and nonmembers of the church and their degree of acceptance of church beliefs and norms. The mean age of the members of both sects was 25 and of respondents at the workshop, 22. Approximately 75% of each of the 3 groups were white and > 50% of each group were men. The frequency of drinking by members of both groups decreased significantly (P < 0.01) after joining the sects. Members of the Diving Light Mission reported that, after joining the group, their symptoms of neurotic distress decreased significantly (P < 0.01) and the difference between their levels of affiliation with members and nonmembers was significant (P < 0.01); members of the Unification Church reported that their level of agreement with drinking norms changed significantly (P < 0.01) after joining the church. Inductees'' reports reflected a rapid acquisition of normative beliefs and affiliation with the group. Findings are discussed from the perspective of sociobiology. A direct relationship is hypothesized between people''s psychological well-being and their conformity to the large social groups with which they affiliate. This relationship may help maintain informal social controls, including those over alcohol use, and may help explain the way in which drinking patterns are established among adolescents and young adults as well as the way that Alcoholics Anonymous and other self-help programs achieve their effects.

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