I hate to exaggerate, but the similarities are disturbing.
There are some differences, but there are many similarities. Once I knew a couple of a psychopath and his girlfriend, and in my mind I called them a cult of two: one leader and one devout follower.
The base difference is that one happens in an exclusive sexual pair setting, while the other happens in social group setting. From this, other differences logically follow, for example a group may be actively recruiting, the pair is not; in a group there is a competition between followers, in pair the follower is unique; etc.
There are some differences, but there are many similarities. Once I knew a couple of a psychopath and his girlfriend, and in my mind I called them a cult of two: one leader and one devout follower.
The base difference is that one happens in an exclusive sexual pair setting, while the other happens in social group setting. From this, other differences logically follow, for example a group may be actively recruiting, the pair is not; in a group there is a competition between followers, in pair the follower is unique; etc.
Similarities:
leader chooses how you live, and who do you interact with—the choice usually depends on whether that person approves the leader;
you should do your best to be perfect—a perfect follower that is;
if you break a rule, even in your thoughts, you should admit it openly, so it can be prevented—and also you can be negatively conditioned;
you are discouraged to use an “outside view”, because your group/pair is special, so normal considerations do not apply;
neither is any other epistemology viable.