Behind The Lucifer Effect Essay

Introduction
In an attempt at understanding the way good people end up doing evil or bad things, the Zimbardo’s theory acknowledges that it is possible to persuade good people to be engaged in evil behaviors. Several situations cause such changes in behaviors (Zimbardo, 2008). Using the Zimbardo’s theory of good and evil, this paper seeks to provide explanations of how individuals are transformed from good to evil. With situations influencing individuals’ behavior, it becomes possible for the Lucifer effect to alter the behaviors of good people.
Zimbardo’s Theory of Good and Evil
The Lucifer effect is likely to influence people to behave badly, as it transforms the character of an individual from good to bad. Behind the Lucifer effect, several psychological mechanisms, variables forces, factor and processes contribute to altering individuals’ behaviors. The most notable of them is the group peer pressure raising conformist behaviors. The group that a person belongs end up influencing his behaviors, as people tend to affiliate with peers to gain social approval (Zimbardo, 2008). Consequently, Zimbardo (2008) observes that good people are not an exception and end up succumbing to impulsivity in various group pressure situations, providing an opportunity for Lucifer effect. The social attribution theory
While individuals do not always alter their opinions courtesy of being persuaded, uncomfortable tension due to inconsistencies contained in cognitive systems motivates people to eliminate the tension. This provides an opportunity to persuade a good person to behave contrary to previous private beliefs, especially when the contrary beliefs are consistent with the position being advocated publicly (Zimbardo, 2008). Violation of the pre-existing beliefs is likely to alter one’s attitudes for one to be able to rationalize his or her