What Most of Us Would Wish To Deny About Ourselves

Where does The Lucifer Effect rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Tough to answer. It is a chore to absorb because the subject is so distasteful and contrary to wishful thinking. As far as value to my personal life is concerned, it rates in the top three. As far as enjoyability is concerned it rates low. This is a "must read" and tears away at the illusion that we are all basically averse to committing atrocious behaviors.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This is not a book about characters. It is a work on the CHARACTER of mankind.

What aspect of Kevin Foley’s performance would you have changed?

Dunno. It is a tough book to narate because of the distasteful subject matter.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book made me angry at my species, my government and the people who are willing to sell-out being good humans in exchange for awards, promotions or just not being punished for violating basic human ethics because of orders from peoples supposedly in positions of authority.

Any additional comments?

This is another great work that, if read by the masses, would have a positive outcome on our world because people cannot just sit back and ignore the world after experiencing "The Lucifer Effect" and the artful and determined way Zimbardo gave it to us.

25 people found this helpful

Zimbardo Comes Clean...

I have studied the Standford Prison Experiment for many years and teach it in one of my classes in which I focus on theories of morality. The points made in documentaries and other writings I have come across have made me feel like Zimbardo has kept a very tight hand on the portrayal of this very controversial experiment (now considered unethical in psychological study circles due to the mental anguish caused to participants) and, more disturbing, his tight grip on his own reputation and role in the experiment. The fact is, Zimbardo went as crazy as any of his guards, maybe more so, considering the power he wielded in the situation, and it when his girlfriend (later his wife) who eventually pointed out that he was senselessly tormenting kids and letting them torment each other and she was the reason that the experiment ended. In almost every documentary I have seen, there is Zimbardo, employing subtle mitigations for his own behavior, using phrases like "EVEN I [emphasis mine] was affected by the power of the situation..." etc., when perhaps he should have said "ESPECIALLY I was affected by the power of the situation, which I set in motion and in which I should have shown the most responsible behavior..." In short, I always say Zimbardo as one engaging in justifying denial and rationalization.

I was impressed that in the PREFACE of this book, Zimbardo acknowledges his behavior as "evil," using that very word in regard to himself and he doesn't follow it up with his usual posturing regarding it. I also like that he emphasizes in this book that the individual is STILL RESPONSIBLE for his/her behavior, even when under the power of a situation, something I have not heard him really say in so many words before, or at least in not such clear terms.

Another reviewer complains of all the details given about the Standford Prison Experiment, but I, as someone who has studied this benchmark in group psychology for a long time, was DELIGHTED to finally get the full story.

And that he had included an entire section on individual responsibility and how to resist the power of the situation makes this a masterpiece in psychology.

Thumbs up all the way around.

(I never comment on the narrators, because I feel that is irrelevant in the evaluation of a book--hey, I am choosing to listen rather than read, so I take what I can get--but I also have to respond to the other reviewer's panning of Foley reading this text. He's not the best, but I don't find him distracting in the slightest.)

41 people found this helpful

A look into the dark side of humanity

This book redefines the perspective of good and evil, and shows us that there is no true "good" or "evil" person, only circumstances that push us toward one or the other. This book, even if it drags on at some points, is worth listening to if you wonder about what makes people good and evil.

7 people found this helpful

Interesting book, but drones on and on and on

I agree with Jose below, "No consideration for the reader"

The sheer ammount of minutia in this book is something to be endured rather than enjoyed.
Still, at it's core it's an interesting book, but the way it is presented leaves much to be desired.

6 people found this helpful

Eye-opening. You won't likely learn this elsewhere.

We are every bit as complicated as it appears. However, it is humbling how easily manipulated we are by situational forces.

4 people found this helpful

One of the most important books ever written.

Dr. Z does a phenomenal job dissecting the anatomy of surprisingly simple, and every-day scenarios that set the stage for "common" people to find themselves commiting uncommon, even horrific, acts on other people. The book opens with cautionary statements, warning the reader not to judge the people involved in the case-studies as evil, or even different from you. After countless examples, with backed statistics, I'm both terrified of how predictively precarious our civilized society is, yet glad that researchers like Z devote lifetimes to articulating this precarity to others. I feel like insightful exposure to the painful truths of human crowd-instincts, may be our best preparation to identifying and resisting these scenarios as they arise. The book is pretty emotionally heavy, but Dr Z finishes on a positive topic addressing that heroism can be fostered by circumstantial settings and awareness. I feel that this work is required reading for all responsible humans.

3 people found this helpful

No consideration for the reader

The Lucifer Effect is the lifework of Phil Zimbardo who is famous for the Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE). Much of the book is dedicated to the SPE and little attention is given to other scenarios. The day-by-day break down of the SPE is tedious and borderlines on torture. The book dedicates 16 hours to describing the complete experiment (longer than some of their subjects lasted in the experiment). Listening to the redundant and cold statements of Mr Zimbardo is only half the story; Kevin Foley’s voice is absolutely lifeless. I have kicked rocks that projected more emotion than Mr Foley. Imagine a high school 1950’s Sex Ed video, take the audio and remove all pitch –welcome to the Foley experience.

If you value your sanity buy another book. This was my first buy with Audiable and it really left me with a sour taste.

31 people found this helpful

Illuminating

While very (very) long-winded in parts, overall, a fascinating perspective on good and evil - ultimately liberating, empowering and even inspiring.

2 people found this helpful

Good Read

Good for those who can remove themselves from emotional and political views and enjoy social psychology.

2 people found this helpful

A compelling look inside human nature

What made the experience of listening to The Lucifer Effect the most enjoyable?

Kevin Foley did a masterful job of reading this book. His inflections and style of reading did not get old.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The look inside human nature and what can happen in superior/subordinate roles. I especially enjoyed the comprehensive details into Abu Ghraib as juxtaposed to the Stanford Prison Experiment.

What does Kevin Foley bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His style of reading is pleasing. I got a more "storytelling" feel from his reading as opposed to just the recitation of words on a page. He brought the accounts depicted in the book to life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It's a little long for that but I found ways to squeeze in more listening time into my days. I sure felt more productive on my way to and from work by listening to this book for school!

Any additional comments?

Will be looking for more books read by Kevin Foley.

5 people found this helpful