Would you electrocute a puppy if someone asked you to? How about if you were a soldier during the Nazi regime, would you have followed orders and executed innocent bystanders? Whilst these questions may sound unusual— and frankly, a little odd — they serve a purpose in demonstrating how most individuals perceive the causes of evil behaviour. When asked such questions, people have often confidently answered ‘no’ due to not considering their selves as being evil. However, what people often forget to account for is to the power that situational factors can have on influencing our actions. Throughout history, notable cases have demonstrated how easy it is for ordinary individuals to be manipulated by their environment into carrying out unspeakable crimes. This talk will be discussing the situational factors that can turn good people evil.

Dr Dara Mojtahedi is a lecturer in psychology at the University of Huddersfield.

Since being diagnosed with a chronic condition, Heather Pentler has been snooping into the dangerous advice given by various alternative medical practitioners. Her talk will take you through her experiences and how and why this advice is so harmful. From EFT, to GNM Heather asks WTF! 

Heather has been an active skeptic for the last 7 years and has previously spoken about her experiences exposing dodgy alternative medical practices. Heather has been a member of the committee for Edinburgh Skeptics for the last 3 years. Heather's day job is a support worker, working with autistic adults for a charity.