Makers

by Chris Anderson
Makers cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £15.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 2736
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 2
Reviews
strategy-business.com · Unknown · 2013-05-28
intriguing 3.50

The book explores how situational factors can override dispositional ones, leading good people to commit evil acts. It builds on the work of Stanley Milgram and emphasizes that good and evil are interchangeable, depending on circumstances.

The book delves into the question of how good people can commit evil acts, drawing on Philip Zimbardo's extensive research and experiences. Zimbardo argues that situational factors, such as unusual or stressful environments, can override dispositional ones, causing decent people to behave uncharacteristically. He also emphasizes that good and evil are not mutually exclusive but are interchangeable, depending on the circumstances. The book builds on the work of Stanley Milgram, who demonstrated the impact of authority figures on the actions of subordinates. Overall, the book is praised for its insightful analysis and practical applications, making it a valuable read for understanding the complexities of human behavior.

Quick quotes

    I could find myself agreeing that situations could cause people to act evil, but I don't think it can completely illustrate the reasons behind the action. I still believe that human nature contains evil thoughts and actions by nature.

    I like this MACAT analysis. It was nice as I understood everything. Zimbardo’s theories and discoveries are very intriguing and informative.

    I think I would like to read the full The Lucifer Effect, but I might be tempted to stop because of how long it is due to the Stanford Prison Experiment.

huffpost.com · Unknown · 2012-11-25
fascinating 4.50

The Lucifer Effect by Philip Zimbardo explores the psychological concepts of good and evil, focusing on situational versus dispositional explanations. The book delves into historical examples of evil, such as the Rwanda massacre and Abu Ghraib abuses, and discusses the Stanford Prison Experiment, highlighting the terrifying potential for good people to turn evil under the right circumstances. The reviewer finds the book fascinating and well-structured, offering deep insights into human behavior and the banality of heroism.

The Lucifer Effect by Philip Zimbardo is a captivating exploration of the psychological concepts surrounding good and evil. The book starts by addressing the dichotomy of good versus evil and the tendency to attribute evil actions to dispositional factors, such as personality, rather than situational influences. Zimbardo argues that situational explanations are often overlooked, despite their importance in understanding systemic failures and the potential for good people to turn evil. The book discusses historical examples of extreme evil, including the Rwanda massacre, the horrors of Auschwitz, and the abuses at Abu Ghraib, drawing parallels to the Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE). The SPE, conducted by Zimbardo, is a well-known study that demonstrates how quickly people can internalize roles and exhibit aggressive behavior under certain conditions. The reviewer finds the book's detailed analysis of the SPE and its ethical implications particularly shocking and thought-provoking. The book also explores the concept of the 'banality of heroism,' suggesting that anyone can become a hero, just as anyone can turn evil. This perspective challenges the notion of good and evil as a clear-cut dichotomy and emphasizes the importance of situational factors. Overall, the reviewer highly recommends the book for its insightful exploration of human behavior and its ability to challenge our preconceived notions about good and evil.

Quick quotes

    The Lucifer Effect, by Philip Zimbardo is a fascinating book that simulates the structure of a psychological research paper.

    This was incredibly fascinating because, as a person, the reluctance to look at situational causes seems to be a massive error on our part and yet who would want to blame the situation?

    The book overall is well structured, incredibly detailed, and gives a lot of insight into Zimbardo’s view of good and evil — as well as the situational explanations contrasted with the dispositional.

Appears in Lists