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dc.contributor.authorFeldman, Susannah
dc.date.accessioned2023-10-31T19:52:54Z
dc.date.available2023-10-31T19:52:54Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12648/13617
dc.description.abstractHumans 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. 
dc.subjectFirst Reader Christopher Williams
dc.subjectSenior Project
dc.subjectSemester Spring 2020
dc.titleExamining the Relationship Between Evil and Personality
dc.typeSenior Project
refterms.dateFOA2023-10-31T19:52:54Z
dc.description.institutionPurchase College SUNY
dc.description.departmentPsychology
dc.description.degreelevelBachelor of Arts
dc.description.advisorWilliams, Christopher
dc.date.semesterSpring 2020
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