How do you know if a group is a sect/high control?

I've never come across a sect or high control group which admits to being one. Its just not what they do, you have to work it out for yourself. These groups do exhibit a series of behaviour flags though, which will alert you to that fact. I often get contacted by people concerned about relatives or friends involved with unusual groups, asking 'is it a cult?' Here are some tips: Check out Mormonstories.org for an assessment tool. They are a podcast discussing Mormon and ex Mormon stories. Obviously, Mormans are only one of a wide variety of these groups - the stories may be different to your own/friends/family experiences - however its useful to hear other peoples stories of exit and recovery. I find the assessment tool useful as it covers a wide array of high control tactics. 29 of the common high control tactics are listed below. eception

1. Love bombing

2. Purity

3. Dispensation of existence

4. Milieu control

5. Destabilisation of Self

6. Dependency

7. Black & White Thinking

8. Elitism

9. Us v's Them

10. Doctrine over Self

11. Social Pressure

12. Belief follows Behaviour

13. Double-Bind

14. Blame Reversal

15. Emotion over Intellect

16. Indirect Directives

17. Identification and Example

18. Totalist reframing

19. Loaded Language

20. Thought/Cliches

21. Public Commitments

22. Time Control

23. Dissociative States

24. Euphoria Induction

25. Induced Phobias

26. Guilt and Shame

27. Institutionalized Bigotry

28. No Honourable way to Exit

The Atlantic has an article - 7 Signs that you're in a Cult - which is a good read. CultResearch.org has an interesting checklist of common characteristics. Dr Steve Hassan is a leading American expert in the field - he also has some interesting resources on his website. He has a BITE model of control which outlines some high-control tactics.