The psychology of evil: 22 normal behaviors that turn ordinary people into monsters

Home General The psychology of evil: 22 normal behaviors that turn ordinary people into monsters

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By Chuvic - June 27, 2025

Evil is often portrayed as the domain of villains and outcasts, but reality tells a more unsettling story. Most acts of cruelty and harm are not committed by monsters, but by ordinary people caught in the web of everyday psychological forces. Small choices, common habits, and subtle group dynamics can gradually erode empathy and blur moral boundaries. Understanding these normal behaviors helps us see how anyone can drift into darkness, reminding us that the roots of evil are alarmingly familiar.

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1. Obedience to Authority

The psychology of evil: 22 normal behaviors that turn ordinary people into monsters — A stern researcher in a white lab coat oversees participants following instructions in a classic obedience experiment setting. | Photo by careeronestop.org

The urge to obey authority is deeply ingrained in human behavior. In the famous Milgram experiment, ordinary people delivered what they believed were painful shocks to others, simply because an authority figure instructed them to do so. This powerful drive to follow orders can override individual morals, leading people to commit acts they might otherwise find unthinkable. When someone in power legitimizes harmful behavior, the line between right and wrong can quickly become blurred for even the most well-intentioned individuals.

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2. Conformity

The desire to fit in with others can powerfully shape our decisions, sometimes at the expense of our own values. The Asch conformity experiments revealed how easily people abandon their own judgment to align with group consensus, even when it’s clearly wrong. This pressure to conform can drive individuals to participate in unethical acts, simply because “everyone else is doing it.” When group acceptance becomes more important than personal integrity, the seeds of harmful behavior are sown.

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3. Dehumanization

When people begin to see others as less than human, empathy fades and cruelty becomes easier to justify. Throughout history, dehumanization has played a central role in atrocities, from wartime propaganda to hate crimes. By stripping away individuality and portraying targets as animals or objects, perpetrators silence their conscience and rationalize their actions. As noted by the American Psychological Association, this mindset makes it alarmingly simple to inflict harm, turning ordinary individuals into agents of brutality.

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4. Diffusion of Responsibility

In groups, people often feel less personally responsible for their actions—a phenomenon known as diffusion of responsibility. This tendency can lead to inaction during emergencies or even participation in harmful acts, thinking someone else will intervene or take the blame. The bystander effect illustrates how responsibility seems to vanish when others are present. When no one steps up, wrongdoings go unchecked, and people who might otherwise help or object stay silent.

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5. Rationalization

Rationalization is the mental process of inventing excuses or justifications for actions that contradict one’s values. By reframing harmful behavior as necessary or deserved, people sidestep guilt and maintain a positive self-image. According to Verywell Mind, this self-serving logic makes it easier to cross moral lines. What would otherwise seem unacceptable becomes, in the mind of the perpetrator, reasonable or even right—paving the way for greater wrongdoing.

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6. In-group Loyalty

The instinct to protect and prioritize one’s own group can foster tight bonds, but it also has a darker side. In-group loyalty often leads to the marginalization or mistreatment of outsiders, fueling prejudice and even violence. Many historical conflicts have roots in this “us versus them” mentality, as described by Psychology Today. When loyalty becomes blind, people may excuse or participate in harmful acts against those who don’t belong, believing it serves their group’s interests.

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7. Desensitization

Desensitization occurs when repeated exposure to violence or cruelty dulls our emotional responses. Over time, witnessing or participating in harmful acts can make them seem less shocking or wrong. Media violence studies, like those discussed by the APA, show how this effect can develop. As empathy fades, people become more willing—and even able—to inflict harm, simply because it no longer feels extraordinary or disturbing.

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8. Scapegoating

Scapegoating is the act of unfairly blaming an individual or group for society’s problems. This common psychological defense can quickly spiral into discrimination, hostility, or even violence. Throughout history, scapegoating has fueled witch hunts, ethnic persecution, and other tragic events, as noted by Psychology Today. By projecting blame onto others, people can avoid uncomfortable truths and justify cruelty—turning simple frustration into collective aggression with devastating consequences.

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9. Displacement of Aggression

Displacement of aggression occurs when people redirect their frustration or anger toward innocent targets, rather than addressing the true source of their stress. This psychological mechanism can result in bullying, road rage, or domestic abuse, where the real cause of upset remains unresolved. As explained by Britannica, such misdirected aggression is common and often unconscious, yet it can cause significant harm to those who simply happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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10. Moral Disengagement

Moral disengagement allows individuals to distance themselves from the ethical consequences of their actions. People achieve this by minimizing harm, blaming victims, or reframing harmful acts as justified. These mental tricks make it easier to participate in or overlook wrongdoing without feeling guilt. As described in research published by the American Psychological Association, moral disengagement erodes self-restraint and enables ordinary people to commit acts they would otherwise condemn.

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11. Blind Faith in Ideology

When people hold an unwavering belief in a particular ideology or cause, they may begin to see any action—even violence—as justified in pursuit of their goals. This blind faith can override compassion and critical thinking, fueling the rise of extremist movements throughout history. As Psychology Today notes, such rigid conviction can strip away moral restraint, allowing ordinary individuals to commit or support acts they would otherwise recognize as deeply wrong.

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12. Social Comparison

Social comparison is a normal part of human psychology, but it can have dark consequences. When people constantly measure themselves against others, it can breed resentment, envy, or feelings of inferiority. This negative self-assessment sometimes leads to justifying harmful actions—whether through sabotage, gossip, or outright aggression. According to Verywell Mind, unchecked social comparison can distort values, making it easier to rationalize behaviors that would otherwise seem unacceptable.

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13. Following Harmful Traditions

Traditions can provide comfort and a sense of belonging, but they also have the power to perpetuate harmful behaviors. Practices like ritual abuse or institutionalized discrimination can persist simply because “that’s how it’s always been done.” As explored by Psychology Today, blind adherence to tradition can numb moral sensitivity, making it difficult to question or resist damaging customs—even when they cause real harm to others.

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14. Emotional Numbing

Emotional numbing is a psychological defense that shuts down feelings of empathy and compassion. This self-protective response can enable people to inflict harm without experiencing guilt or remorse. Over time, continual exposure to suffering or cruelty can make detachment habitual. As described by Psychology Today, when empathy is turned off, moral boundaries fade—making it easier for otherwise ordinary individuals to participate in or ignore acts of cruelty.

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15. Group Polarization

Group polarization happens when discussions among like-minded individuals push everyone’s views to greater extremes. What starts as moderate opinions can quickly become radical, especially when group members reinforce each other’s beliefs. This dynamic increases the likelihood of risky or harmful actions, as members feel justified in their intensified stance. As Britannica explains, group polarization can transform ordinary gatherings into breeding grounds for radical behavior and collective acts that individuals might have never considered alone.

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16. Willful Ignorance

Willful ignorance occurs when individuals deliberately avoid acknowledging the harm their choices may cause. By turning a blind eye to uncomfortable truths, people protect themselves from guilt but enable wrongdoing to persist. This phenomenon is often seen in corporate scandals, where leaders ignore unethical practices for personal or financial gain. According to Psychology Today, such denial is a powerful force, allowing ordinary people to overlook or excuse serious consequences in pursuit of convenience or profit.

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17. Seeking Revenge

The urge to seek revenge is a powerful emotional response to perceived wrongs. While it may offer temporary satisfaction, it often escalates conflict and leads to cycles of retaliation and violence. What starts as a quest for justice can quickly become destructive, harming both individuals and entire communities. As Psychology Today notes, the desire for payback can override empathy and reason, turning ordinary frustrations into ongoing harm and bitterness.

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18. Overidentification with a Role

When people become overly immersed in a social role, their behavior can shift dramatically. The Stanford Prison Experiment famously demonstrated how ordinary individuals, acting as prison guards, quickly adopted abusive and authoritarian behaviors. This overidentification can suppress personal values and empathy, making it easier to justify cruelty as simply “part of the job.” When roles override conscience, people may act in ways they never would outside that context—showing how dangerous unchecked authority and identity can become.

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19. Fearmongering

Fearmongering is the deliberate use of fear to manipulate individuals or groups into supporting harsh or extreme measures. Political propaganda often exploits this tactic, convincing people that severe responses are necessary for safety or survival. As discussed in Scientific American, fear can override rational thought and compassion, making it easier to accept or participate in cruelty that would otherwise seem unthinkable. This climate of fear is fertile ground for harmful actions.

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20. Greed and Self-Interest

When greed and self-interest take center stage, ethical considerations often fall by the wayside. The relentless pursuit of wealth, power, or status can drive people to exploit others, cut corners, and ignore the suffering they cause. As Psychology Today points out, unchecked greed fuels corruption and injustice, turning ordinary ambitions into destructive forces. When personal gain becomes the highest priority, empathy and fairness are easily sacrificed.

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21. Denial of Victimhood

Denying that others are true victims is a powerful way people justify harmful actions. By convincing themselves that their targets “deserve it” or are not really suffering, individuals can avoid feelings of guilt or responsibility. This mindset makes it far easier to inflict pain or injustice without remorse. As discussed in research from the American Psychological Association, denying victimhood is a common tactic that enables cruelty and perpetuates cycles of harm.

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22. Small Acts Escalating Over Time

Often, evil does not begin with a single monstrous act but with minor transgressions that seem harmless at first. The foot-in-the-door effect describes how agreeing to small, questionable actions can pave the way for much more severe wrongdoing. Each step lowers resistance and normalizes the next, gradually eroding ethical boundaries. Before they realize it, people who started with innocent-seeming choices may find themselves complicit in serious harm—illustrating how the path to evil is often paved with small, everyday decisions.

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Conclusion

The journey from ordinary behavior to monstrous deeds is rarely sudden; it’s often a gradual slide shaped by psychological forces we all experience. As we’ve seen, everyday actions—from conformity to rationalization—can have sinister consequences if left unchecked. True prevention begins with self-awareness and constant ethical reflection. By recognizing these tendencies in ourselves and others, we can resist harmful patterns and choose compassion over cruelty. Let us strive to remain vigilant, questioning not only the world around us but also our own motivations and choices.

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