Synopsis Social psychologist Philip Zimbardo argues that man, the so-called moral animal, will, under certain circumstances, readily perpetrate cruel and sadistic acts on others. The author of the famous Stanford Prison Experiment, Zimbardo examines the group dynamics and other factors in both experiments and real life situations where extraordinary cruelty was practiced on victims. He identifies situations and circumstances in which people put aside their moral learning, viewing others as debased and dehumanized, thus sanctioning shockingly cruel behavior. Zimbardo's theories bear on events such as My Lai and Abu Ghraib, but also have implications for everyday life, as we see we are not angels but rather, like Lucifer, fallen angels.
| Details | | Publication Date: | 2008-01-15 | | Edition Description: | Reprint |
| Size | | Length: | 551 pages | | Height: | 8.5 in | | Width: | 5.5 in | | Thickness: | 1.2 in | | Weight: | 16.0 oz |
Publisher's Note A distinguished psychologist presents a disturbing, insightful analysis of the human capacity for evil, explaining how and why everyone is susceptible to the power of evil, the power of group dynamics and situational pressures to transform human behavior, the significance of disobedience and the true nature of heroism, and guidelines for overcoming human nature. Reprint. 35,000 first printing.
Industry Reviews "Let us hope that THE LUCIFER EFFECT, which confronts us with the worst in ourselves, stimulates a critical conversation that will lead to more sensible and less arrogant strategies for coping with our shared human weaknesses." (10/19/2007)
"Combining a dense but readable and often engrossing exposition of social psychology research with an impassioned moral seriousness, Zimbardo challenges readers to look beyond glib denunciations of evil-doers and ponder our collective responsibility for the world's ills." (02/12/2007)
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