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Kayla Gwin Ed.D., is a 2025 graduate of the Ed.D. program in Educational and Professional Practice at Antioch University.

Dissertation Committee:

Richard Kahn, Ph.D., Committee Chair

Gary Delanoeye, Ed.D., Committee Member

Kristine Tucker, Ed.D., Committee Member

Keywords

critical pedagogy, autoethnography, BITE Model, democratic education, cultic groups, indoctrination

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

While there is existing research surrounding the democratic potentials of the United States educational system and the vegan movement, two spaces of personal belonging for the author, there is a limited body of work discussing how these spaces may operate with specific characteristics that have been attributed to cult-like groups. Using Dr. Steven Hassan’s BITE (Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotional Control) Model of Cultic Influence, as well as the lens of critical pedagogy, this autoethnography explores possible authoritarian tendencies within the larger educational system and the vegan movement respectively. The purpose of this study is to delve into and reflect on the following questions: What are common elements of and within schooling that can be identified as authoritarian and thus resembling documented aspects of cultic groups, as defined by Hassan's BITE model of cultic groups? What are common elements of and within the vegan movement that can be identified as resembling documented aspects of cultic groups, as defined by Hassan's BITE model of cultic groups? How can I learn through this study to create greater space for critical “deprogramming” of normalized educational procedures within these areas of my work and life? This study creates space for critical deprogramming by exposing how systems such as schooling and the vegan movement may enforce conformity and suppress independent thought in order to achieve their goals. Through Hassan’s BITE model, I reveal the subtle mechanisms by which these systems at times regulate behavior, information, thought, and emotions to maintain control. The findings of the study further confirm that the road towards change will be tough, because so many are conditioned to prescribe to the current system. However, it is not an impossible feat to combat; it requires a heavy upheaval towards the road to change. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https:// etd.ohiolink.edu).

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ORCID No. 0009-0003-7236-9616

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