Bankston, William B., Forsyth, Craig J., and Floyd Jr., H. Hugh
Subjects
*SYMBOLIC interactionism, *COMMUNICATION, *SOCIAL psychology, *SOCIAL sciences, *CONDUCT of life
Abstract
This paper develops the concept of radical conversion of sell-identity as a moral career. Following the theoretical orientation of symbolic interactionism, the concept is explicated and differentiated from other forms of sell-change. A critical review of the model developed by Lofland in Doomsday Cult is offered, through which a revised statement of the sequences of radical conversion that is conceptually applicable to cases of diverse content is constructed. Lastly, the revised model is tested using secondary case material and the logic of analytic induction. The findings indicate the model is consistent with the empirical descriptions contained in each case. Suggestions for further analysis are then discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]