ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

The Imp of the Perverse

Imagine there is a little creature that lives inside our brains, and it likes to do the opposite of what we know is right. This little creature is called the "imp of the perverse". Picture it like a little voice in your head that tells you to do something bad, even though you know it's wrong.

For example, imagine you are in a classroom taking a test, and your friend sitting next to you forgot a pencil. The imp of the perverse might tell you to help your friend cheat, even though you know it's wrong to cheat on tests.

It's important to ignore the imp of the perverse and do what is right, even if it's hard sometimes.