Stanford Psychologist Albert Bandura on 'Moral Disengagement'

In 1961, sociologist Albert Bandura proved that children who witnessed an adult punch a Bobo the Clown doll were more likely to act violently toward the doll. The study sparked a nationwide conversation about whether bad behavior is learned or inherited. It also prompted Bandura to take a deeper look at the complexities of moral behavior. How do people rationalize committing atrocities? Why do some people seem to lack moral accountability? Bandura, who received the National Medal of Science in December, continues to explore these questions in his new book, “Moral Disengagement: How Good People Can Do Harm and Feel Good About Themselves.”