Aggression - De-individuation Flashcards
What does de-individuation refer to
reduced sense of personal responsibility
What did Zimbardo argue
behaviour is usually constrained by social norms but when we become part of a crowd we loose restraint and may behave irrationally and become de-individuated and lose individual self-identity
Zimbardo why do we not feel guilty
responsibility is shared throughout a crowd - we ignore social norms and experience less personal guilt at harmful aggression directed at others
what is a major condition of de-individuation
anonymity
explain anonymity
we have less fear retribution because we are unidentifiable in a crowd and it provides fewer opportunities foremothers to judge us negatively
explain how anonymity reduces private self awareness using a study
Prentice-Dunn and Rogers (1982) argues because our attention is focused outwardly to the events around us. This means we think less about our own beliefs and feeling we are less critical and evaluate
explain how anonymity reduces public self awareness
because we realise we are anonymous and our behaviour is less likely to be judged by others.
we no longer care how others see us and so we become less accountable for our aggressive and destructive actions
Who did the key study on de-individuation
Dodd (1985)
What was dodd’s procedure
Asked psychology students ‘if you could do anything humanly possible with complete assurance that you would not be detected or held responsible,what would you do?’ Knowing there answers are anonymous
Three raters who didn’t know the hypothesis decided whether the responses fit into the categories pro social or antisocial behaviour
What were the results of Dodd’s experiment
36% antisocial and 26% actual criminal acts
9% were pro social e.g. Helping people
What does Dodd’s study demonstrate
In terms of how people imagine they would behave, this study shows a link between anoynimity, de-individuation and aggression
Give 2 strengths of de-individuation
There is supportive research evidence
There is useful real-life applications
Explain the research evidence as a strength of de-individuation
Douglas and McGarty (1979) looked at online aggressive behaviour in chatrooms and instant message.
They found a correlation between anonymity flaming (hostile messages)
Suggesting a link between anonymity,de-individuation and aggressive behaviour in a more relevant context to today
Explain the real life applications which is a strength of de-individuation
Help us understand online gaming services such as Xbox live which have features promoting de-individuation e.g. Players using handles to identify themselves so reducing personal identity and an arousing personal environment confirming the relevance of de-individuation concepts to aggression
What are three limitations of de individuation
Contradictory evidence
De-individuation does not inevitably lead to aggression
Alternative explanations may account better for aggression
Explain alternative explanations as a limitation of de-individuation using a study
Spears and Lea (1992) applied SIT to de-individuation in their side model. Dein leads to behaviour that conforms to local group norms (antisocial or pro social) because anoynmity shifts an individual’s attention from personal identity to social identity as a group member.
What does spears and Lea study show
Anoynmity and reduced self-awareness do not have the wider effects predicted by the de-individuation explanation - aggression is not the inevitable outcome of de-individuated state
Explain that de-individuation does not inevitably lead to aggression as a limitation using a study
Johnson and Downings (1979)
What was Johnson and Downings procedure
Female participants gave shocks to a confederate either wearing masks, dressed as nurses or wearing their own clothes (control)
What was Johnson and Downings result
Masked participants gave more intense shocks and nurses gave fewer at low levels. Nurses were more compassionate towards victims in line with the pro social role associated with a nurses uniform
What does Johnson and Downings study show
Both aggression and pro social behaviour are potential outcomes of de-individuation (not just aggression) normative cues in the situation determine which is most likely to occur
What is Spear and Lea’s SIT and SIDE stand for
SIT Social Identity Theory
SIDE Social Identity model f De-individuation effects
Who gave contradictory evidence for de-individuation
Gergen et al (1973)
What was Gerden et al procedure
Put strangers in a darkened room and told them to do what they wanted - they soon started kissing and touching each other
What happened when Gergen repeated the study what was changed
This deviance in the dark study was repeated and told they would be face to face with each other afterwards and touching and kissing was reduced
What did Gergen study conclude
Despite a guarantee of anonymity creating the conditions for de-individuation - aggressive behaviour was not an outcome of this study
