If you’re wondering who joins cults and why, the unsettling truth is that almost anyone can be drawn into one. “That is the insidiousness of mind-manipulation,” says Lisa Kohn, a cult survivor and author of the upcoming memoir To the Moon and Back, in an interview with Bustle. “Nearly anyone can be manipulated by the promise of a better tomorrow, answers to their questions, or a sense of their inherent rightness (or sinfulness).” However, certain personality traits can make someone more susceptible to joining a cult, traits that these organizations often exploit.

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Depending on a person’s personality and what they’re seeking in life, they may be more vulnerable to a cult’s promises. “Cults prey on vulnerability … to facilitate their cause,” explains psychologist Dr. Michele Barton, director of Psychology Life Well. “Cults seek out the disenfranchised and outcasts. People most in need of support are lured in by the prospect of belonging somewhere or to something meaningful.”

Cults can seem appealing at first, making it difficult for people to realize they’re even joining one. As Kohn points out, “Every right-minded person would most likely say, ‘I am not susceptible to a cult.’ And everyone I know and knew who was in a cult would tell you that they were not in a cult.” This, she explains, is part of the brainwashing process. “Once you’re in, you know it’s right, and therefore it’s not a cult.”

While leaving a cult is possible, it can be tough for someone to see it for what it is. Recognizing the personality traits that cults target can be crucial in avoiding being drawn in. Here are a few types of personalities that cults tend to look for when recruiting new members.

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Those Seeking Approval

Everyone seeks approval to some degree. We all want our friends to like us and to feel accepted at work. However, when a person has an intense need for approval, possibly due to longstanding feelings of neglect, the attention and acceptance a cult provides can feel like a welcome relief.

“If someone has a lot of unmet approval needs, a cult may seem like this welcoming group that makes them feel good about themselves,” says psychologist and executive coach Dr. Perpetua Neo. Cult members tend to exploit this trait when recruiting. “A cult may welcome you with open arms initially,” Dr. Neo explains. “When you feel validated, safe, and important, this increases your sense of membership and attachment to the group.”

Those Seeking an Identity

“When you feel your identity isn’t stable, or you’re not really sure of who you are, a cult makes it simple,” Dr. Neo says. “They help you decide.” For those who feel like drifters or have shallow relationships, a cult may offer a sense of family they’ve never experienced. While people looking for new friends or those who feel lonely aren’t necessarily going to join a cult, many cults prey on this desire. “That is how they survive and grow,” Kohn says. “Cults look for people they believe are susceptible. Many years ago, when I spent a summer proselytizing, we were told to look for loners, for students, for people who seemed to be searching or questioning… because we had the answers.”

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Followers, Not Leaders

Cults often revolve around a strong, charismatic leader who is dynamic, warm, and inspiring—traits that can be incredibly attractive to those whose personalities lean more towards following others. “Cult leaders can be captivating and dynamic,” says Dr. Neo. “They suck you in, you admire them, and you think, ‘This is someone I want to be associated with!'” The words of a cult leader can be especially impactful on those seeking someone to follow or emulate. For people who prefer being told what to do, the predictable daily schedule of cult life can be particularly appealing.

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Those Seeking Meaning

We all want to understand the “meaning of life,” find our purpose, and learn more about ourselves. People who are desperate seekers of truth may be more likely to get caught up in a group that offers quick answers or promises a more meaningful future. “Cults, with simplistic explanations coupled with a charismatic leader who has perfected the modus operandi to manipulate you, play on this,” Dr. Neo says. “If what they offer aligns with your desire for meaning, then you become likelier to join them.”