The Psychology Of Evil Zimbardo Analysis

People tend to believe that there is a clear line between good and evil – with them on one side, others always evil. Philip Zimbardo reveals that this line is far more permeable. Good can turn bad, and ‘evil’ people capable of redemption. He describes evil as “exercising power to intentionally harm people (psychologically), to hurt people (physically), to destroy people (mortally), or ideas, and to commit crimes against humanity”. The question offered is, what is it that makes people turn evil? It will be shown that the power to turn people evil lies in the system – the legal, political, economical, and cultural background that creates the situation that corrupts individuals.
The Psychology of Evil’ really captured my attention because I have
Institutions, or Systems, include the situation but are more widespread – comprised of pervasive networks of people, their expectations, norms, policies, and laws. Systems are the ‘powerhouses’ that operate the situations which create behavioral motives that influence the human action of those under their influence. Each System eventually develops its own unique culture, just as many Systems communally come to render to the culture of a society. The “slippery slope of evil” occurs when we are placed in an unfamiliar situation. Our routine response patterns are relinquished and we dissociate our personalities and moralities. A person caught in the grip of the System just goes along, doing what appears to be the natural way to proceed in that given moment. I believe power given to people with a lack of oversight is a set up for
There is no form of ethics, religion, or community life in which it is not present. Professor Zimbardo presents an intriguing take on evil and its manifestation in society that is often overlooked. He approaches his take by effectually applying the nature vs. nurture argument to the manufacturing of evil. Viewing evil as an institutional and situational factor, the argument can be made that it is a function of the environment. While it may be hard to believe, the reality of it is that people are capable of pronounced evil, provided the situation encourages it. While we may be the entities within situations and systems, we are not slaves to them. Any one of us could just as easily become an offender of evil or a hero depending on how we are swayed by situational