The work is devoted to the study of psychological characteristics of representatives of new religious organizations (sects), as well as the features of the social stereotype of a sectarian, which has developed in the minds of young people. The work presents both theoretical and practical aspects of the study of the features of the formation of social stereotypes. The aim of the conducted research is to reveal the peculiarities and study the content characteristics of the social stereotype of the representatives of a new religious organization which has formed in the consciousness of youth and to compare them with the peculiarities and content characteristics of the self-image of youth which has formed in the consciousness of youth.