 Applewhite and Nettles sometimes made sudden , drastic changes to the group . On one occasion in Texas , they told their followers of a forthcoming visitation from extraterrestrials and instructed them to wait outside all night , at which point they informed them that this had been merely a test . Lalich sees this as a way that they increased their students ' devotion , ensuring that their commitment became irrespective of what they saw . Members became desperate for Applewhite 's approval , which he used to control them . 
 Applewhite and Nettles sometimes made sudden , drastic changes to the group . On one occasion in Texas , they told their followers of a forthcoming visitation from extraterrestrials and instructed them to wait outside all night , at which point they informed them that this had been merely a test . Lalich <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>sees</mark></a> this as a way <a href='null_relcl' title='2'><mark>that</mark></a>they increased their students <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'</mark></a>devotion , ensuring that their commitment became irrespective of what they saw . Members became desperate for Applewhite <a href='null_genetive' title='4'><mark>'s</mark></a>approval , which he used to control them . 
Applewhite and Nettles sometimes made sudden , drastic changes to the group . On one occasion in Texas , they tld their followers of a forthcoming visitation from extraterrestrials and instructed them to wait outside alll night , at which point they informed em that this had been merely a test . Lalich see this as a way they increased their students  devotion , ensuring that their commitment became irrespective of what they saw . Members became desperate for Applewhite  approval , which he used to control them .