Jim Jones: The Intricator Of Evil

Introduction

Many psychologists and researchers have for many years tried to explain what makes normal human beings become evil and become perpetrators of evil. The study of a normal human being becoming a perpetrator of evil has almost become it’s own branch of psychology. There are many examples of evil actions in this world, which has led to a lot of research of the human mind; where evil is born. Hitler, Anders Breivik, and Jim Jones are just a few examples of the many evil human minds we have seen in this world. All people, who were thought to hold the same mindset as everyone else. The big question is, what creates these evil people, and what gives them such an evil mindset? By focusing on the mind of Jim Jones, this paper will attempt

Jones was responsible for the death of 918 people, including 276 children. By promising utopia and a better life, he gained hundreds of followers, which led to the creation of ‘The People’s Temple’. Growing up, Jones didn’t receive much attention from his parents, which left Jones mostly to himself. His dad had very little interest in him, and his mother was very busy working two jobs. Jones therefore grew up mostly left to himself, until he joined a church where he learned to speak in public. Being a talented public speaker came to be an advantage for him later on, because public speaking was a very good attention grabber for potential

High levels of testosterone has for many years been blamed for aggressive behavior in males. Paul Bernhardt, a professor in chemistry at University of Utah, disapproves this theory. High levels of testosterone are often seen in successful businessmen and athletes. However, high levels of testosterone as well as low levels of serotonin are what can lead to aggressive behavior. According to Bernhardt, this occurs because high levels of testosterone are connected with dominance-seeking behavior. Lack thereof causes frustrations, which serotonin is supposed to control. Therefore, a combination of high levels of testosterone and low levels of serotonin may be very dangerous, because the frustrations won’t be regulated and can therefore lead to aggressive behavior. This may explain Jones’ behavior. It is safe to say, that Jones had a need to be in control. He didn’t let his followers do anything without his consent. When a congressman from California traveled to Jonestown to see what was really going on, Jones had him executed, and immediately after demanded his followers to drink the poison. The interference from the government might have scared Jones because that interference could possibly cause him to lose his cult and thereby his power and control. With the high levels of testosterone as well as low levels of serotonin in Jones’ body, he wasn’t able to