When Prophecy Fails

"When Prophecy Fails" is a pioneering work of social psychology that explores the beliefs and behaviors of a UFO cult in Chicago, known as the Seekers, who anticipated an impending apocalypse. The book details their intense commitment, including quitting jobs and giving away belongings, and investigates how they cope when the predicted event does not happen. Through this case, the authors develop their influential theory of cognitive dissonance, highlighting how individuals adjust their beliefs and actions in the face of conflicting information.