Examining the Relationship Between Evil and Personality

Abstract

Humans are complex animals capable of an array of emotions, motivations, and drives. These forms of expressions can occur in concert with each other or be in conflict. One such human expression is evil. Evil stems, in part, from a desire for dominance. An evil personality is one that has integrated the habit of exerting dominance over another person by exploitation and abuse. Evil actions are reinforced or discouraged by reward or punishment, which is the strongest predictor of whether a behavior will reoccur. Evil is also associated with brain structure. Research indicates that frontal lobe abnormalities can make a person more prone to antisocial behavior. Antisocial behavior is influenced by childhood socialization, trauma, and brain structure. Using a case study methodology, we study the behavior of several public figures (i.e., Bernie Madoff, Grafton Thomas, Karla Holmoka, and Aaron Hernandez) in an attempt to examine evil. We found that evil stems either from identifying with the aggressor (or childhood trauma), the desire for dominance leading to habitual antisocial behavior or sadism, or brain abnormalities that prevent someone from controlling the impulse to act antisocially. This study has important implications for psychiatry, psychology and the treatment of those believed to have expressed evil behavior.