In the article ‘do good people do evil’ Grant outline several scenario where good people have acted in an evil way out of influence by circumstances and the work environment. The section that has surprising facts is ‘who signs up for a prison study’ on the comparison between the prison life psychological study and by Zimbardo and the general psychological study. The resulting results show that people are more prone to doing evil depending on the expectations and working environment. Personality traits like sadism, autocratic or psychopathic also can turn a good person into doing evil. From this section, people are prone to do more evil if different people with similar evil traits are placed in the same work area especially prison or in areas where authoritarianism is involved.
This article reflects on the role of personality in doing things people do in real life. For instance, the case of Eichmann shows how autocratic and sadist behavior can motivate a person in doing evil. Also from the experience of the soldiers at war who are forced to fire at their enemies over their heads is an indication of situational psychology where a person has to do thing because they are supposed to. Collective identity which involve possession of similar psychological traits may also influence a person into doing evil especially in cases where people with similar identities work in a similar environment. This article reflects on several aspects on the role of individual and groups’ behavior and cognitive theory in portraying a particular behavior.
This article discusses more on the environment and personality traits as the main influence that turns a good person into doing evil. However it does not give any possibility as to whether there are any certain conditions that can be used to regulate these factors as a way of influencing a positive social behavior in human beings. Exploring other factors such as emotions, perceptions and social behavior is essential in this case. Also outlining ways of inflicting positive actions from people with negative personality traits is beneficial. This is because it could further help in understanding human behavior.
Free Essay About No Need
Type of paper: Essay
Topic: Psychology, Personality, Evil, Ethics, Behavior, Prison, Environment, Education
Pages: 2
Words: 350
Published: 02/23/2020
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