In the dictionary evil is defined as, “arising from actual or imputed bad character or conduct” (Merriam-Webster). When most people think of the word evil, they often picture “bad” people, such as serial killers, child molesters, and terrorists. This is because, evil is a behavior that humans can develop over time due to either childhood experiences, addictions, or even mental illnesses.
Although many seem to believe that those who commit horrific acts are simply born evil, there are multiple factors that can drive someone to become evil. Serial killer Ted Bundy is considered by many to have been born evil; he was even described by his own defense attorney as, “the very definition of heartless evil” (Mehrotra). Ted, however, was not innately corrupt. Before his scheduled execution, Ted revealed in an interview with psychologist, James Dobson, just what exactly led him to his path of evil destruction. After having grown up in a nice neighborhood, in a well-rounded household with loving parents; Ted admits that it was the exposure and later addiction to alcohol and hardcore pornography that produced his compulsive behavior. “Alcohol reduced my inhibitions and pornography eroded them further” …show more content…
The development of a mental illness and/or having endured a childhood littered with abuse and neglect, are other possible elements that can enable one to become evil. Those who suffer from disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or dissociative identity disorder; tend to have an altered sense of reality and state of mind. Paranoid schizophrenics for example, are more prone to violent outbursts and sometimes kill people in horrific ways just to calm the voices in their heads. While not all victims of these disorders commit vicious crimes, these illnesses can easily impair one’s judgement and possess them to behave in maleficent