Bad things refer to anything ethically unacceptable in society due to already set norms or believers. In this regard, it is important to realize that what is deemed wrong in one society can be ratified by another depending on the social agreement. We are all born with an innate quality of good and evil, which gives us the power to make choices due to the existence of free will. Through personal experiences, our parents, our peers, school, and social media, to name a few, we develop a pattern of personal beliefs. There is a bit of good and bad in everyone. This implies that we are all good people, in some way and in some cases; we all had done wrong even when we knew it. The existence of freedom of choice acts as the basis for the individual choice to do wrong. According to Dr. Travis Bradberry, people are guided by social pressures and internal influences in making decisions. This text will focus on three major factors that inform one’s manner of action: Cognitive dissonance, the pressure to conform, and obedience to authority.
Cognitive dissonance or discomfort occurs when people are guided by a contrary opinion from the rest of society. Research has established that cognitive dissonance refers to the existence of different reasoning among individuals, making them operate differently (Wolt 27). The theory holds that whenever individual ideas and actions are psychologically inconsistent, people use everything within their powers to ensure consistency. This reaction is significantly influenced by one’s belief which clashes with the perceived information (Dittmar 43). People tend to make all possible attempts to establish a condition that helps eradicate their discontentment. In this case, a person is tempted to behave peculiarly. A perfect example is when a cashier gives one back an extra five-dollar bill. In this occurrence, one has to choose whether to keep the money or give it back to the cashier.
However, in most cases, one says I am not a thief while they find a reason to retain the money. This occurs through an inner conviction that I deserve this money; therefore, I will keep it. Others justify their actions for such reasons as everyone else does, this store makes a lot of money, and they will not go broke if I keep this five-dollar bill. Besides, it is the cashier’s fault for giving me too much money. Although one suffers from the guilt of such actions, they comfort themselves by claiming, I will not do it next time. When this occurs, the involved individuals are said to begin to nullify their moral beliefs. This is because the person first realizes the wrong act but makes all possible efforts to find reasons that seem to justify their mistakes.
Secondly, the pressure to conform, for some people, becomes insurmountable, giving room for a belief system they would normally not cogitate. The pressure to conform is so influential that one is unlikely to resist its effect. When a group is involved in undesirable behavior, individuals are likely to participate and encourage the act instead of resisting (Grzanka et al., 1334). Shooting the Elephant by George Orwell was about peer pressure and saving face. The white man employed as a police officer in an Asian country shot an elephant that had run wild, trampling a man to death. The white police officer was not determined to kill the elephant; instead, the pressure from people influenced his action (Orwell 18). Since the elephant was grazing grass, and probably its trainer was in route to retrieve him, the officer had to choose whether to kill or leave it. However, due to the large crowd influence, the officer felt pressured to do what the crowd expected him to do. This demonstrates the effect of pressure to conform and how it influences one’s actions and reactions.
Lastly, obedience to authority permits the person to do something they normally would not do or do it to please the one in charge, thinking that the evil done is made right because they did it to please someone else. Research has shown that it is often difficult to ignore those in authority. Consequently, some tend to think they are less responsible for any wrong done influenced by those in authority (Grzanka et al., 1334). This demonstrates the social pressure on people to do what others want to be done. The general tendency of people is seen to be driven by the desire to please those in power.
Due to the failure of people to exercise independent judgment, their actions are likely to lead to ethical problems. Since many claims that “they are just following orders,” the group has taken this as an excuse for one’s behavior. Moral virtues and beliefs fail to influence good conduct because one is driven by the general desire to be accepted. In addition, human beings mostly fail to act following their personal beliefs. This is done by neutralizing one’s virtues by rejecting what seems to bother their comfort. Although this was initially thought to be wrong, it has become acceptable, demonstrating a denial of responsibility.
In conclusion, the question of why good people engage in bad things can be tied back to any of the three influences already analyzed. Cognitive dissonance, the pressure to conform, and obedience to authority are three psychological forces that impact human behaviors. It is important to make all possible efforts and pay attention to how you justify your actions to avoid this occurrence. You can take the time to pause and listen to your internal thoughts carefully. Write them down to see the pros and cons and talk with someone who can give you an objective explanation. While seeking help is good, it is required that one must be knowledgeable so as to distinguish between good and bad advice. This helps in determining what to take and what to leave. All in all, one has to make a choice that significantly depends on individual values and principles.
It is imperative to realize that man’s thinking is, in most cases, complex due to differing virtues alongside environmental influences. For this reason, it is clear that the reason why good people do bad things mostly depends on one perceived outcome. In simple terms, some tend to do wrong in their effort to change contracting information, pressure to conform with the crowd influence, and the influence of unquestionable obedience to authority. However, it is important to realize that these factors are significantly influenced by one’s level of mental convictions that are likely to encourage or discourage an act. In addition, the level of one’s exposure helps determine what is good or bad.
Works Cited
Dittmar, James K. “Ethical Decision-Making: Getting Better at Doing Right.” Leader to Leader 2021.101 pp. 40-45.
Grzanka, Patrick R., and Elizabeth R. Cole. “An Argument for Bad Psychology: Disciplinary Disruption, Public Engagement, and Social Transformation.” American Psychologist, vol. 76, no. 8, 2021, 1334.
Orwell, George. Shooting an Elephant. Vol. 5. Renard Press Ltd, 2022.
Wolt, Daniel. “Energeia in the Magna Moralia: A New Case for Late Authorship.” Mnemosyne-1, 2021, pp. 1-30.