A Psychology of Evil A “Situationist” Account of Becoming Evil

What is evil? Consists intentionally behaving in ways to harm, abuse, demean, dehumanize, or destroy innocent others or Using one’s authority and systemic power to encourage or permit others to do so on your behalf

A Summary: Social psychologists largely attribute evil actions to the power of the situation: – Authority – Social Roles – Social Perception – Inaction

Slight – 15, 30, 45, 60 Moderate – 75, 90, 105, 120 Strong – 135, 150, 165, 180 Very Strong – 195, 210, 165, 180 Intense – 255, 170, 185, 300 Extremely Intense – 315, 330, 345, 360 Danger – 375, 39-, 405, 420 XXX – 435, 450 How far would you have gone?

Social Roles Widely shared expectations about how people in certain positions are supposed to behave – Roles were created by the situation

How does one commit evil? “What does it take for the citizens of one society to hate the citizens of another society to the degree that they want to segregate them, torment them, even kill them?”

Social Perception Dehumanization “…It requires a “hostile imagination,” a psychological construction embedded deeply in their minds by propaganda that transforms those others into “The Enemy.” That image is a soldier’s most powerful motive, one that loads his rifle with ammunition of hate and fear.”

Responsibility (Milgram study)

Bystander Effect People are less likely to offer help when they are in the presence of other than when they are alone

Diffusion of Responsibility The belief that the presence of people in a situation makes one less personally responsible or events that occur in that situation