The Lucifer Effect

The Lucifer Effect is a concept developed by psychologist Philip Zimbardo, which explores how situational factors and social environments can lead ordinary people to commit immoral or harmful acts. It emerged from Zimbardo's famous Stanford prison experiment, where participants adopted abusive roles due to their environment. The effect illustrates that rather than inherent personality traits, circumstances and social pressures can significantly influence behavior, highlighting the potential for anyone to act in ways that contradict their moral beliefs under certain conditions. This understanding emphasizes the importance of ethical systems and accountability in various contexts.