ALBANY, N.Y. -- Questions continue to arise about the self-proclaimed self-help group NXIVM. Many are wondering how an organization like this could develop in the community.

FBI agents spent much of the day Tuesday raiding a Waterford home believed to be connected with NXIVM. The group's leader, Keith Raniere, was arrested in Mexico on Monday on sex trafficking charges.

According to UAlbany Assistant Professor of Psychology James Boswell, it doesn't take much for these types of groups to recruit members. He says leaders of similar organizations tend to use normal human emotion to their advantage.

Boswell explains that all cases are different, but things tend to build over time.

"Everything sounds very postive and credible, and it's sort of meeting a need that is unfulfilled for them, and I think initially, people are mostly exposed to those positive elements," said Boswell.

Boswell says it's even eaiser when the leader is relatable and someone claiming to help. That's similar to how Raniere has been described to Spectrum News by former members of the group. 

Boswell says if you do suspect someone is falling into an unhealthy situation, it's best to keep them thinking critically.