Citation

Ofshe R. Sociol. Relig. 1980; 41(2): 109-127.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1980, Association for the Sociology of Religion)

DOI

10.2307/3709903

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper reviews the developmental history of Synanon Foundation Inc. from its inception in 1958 as an Alcoholics Anonymous alternative through its three transformations into a therapeutic community, an alternative society, and finally into a religion. The growth of the organization in terms of population and economic history is reported. A sketch of a theory to account for the recent controversy surrounding the organization is presented. That explanation rests on an understanding of Synanon's three transformations as strategic moves of organizational management to expand, solidify and consolidate control of the group.