De-individuation

Question 1

What is de-individuation

Answer 1

A psychological state in which an individual loses their personal identity and takes on the identity of the social group

Question 2

Explain how Zimbardo distinguishes between an individuated and de-individuated state

Answer 2

In an individuated state, behaviour is normative and rational (conforms to social norms), whereas de-individuated behaviours are impulsive, disinhibited, irrational, and anti-normative

Question 3

Which key factors plays a role in eliciting a state of de-individuation leading to aggression

Answer 3

• anonymity- less easily identifiable due to shared visual similarity
• consumption of alcohol and/or drugs (altered state of consciousness)- inhibitions are loosened, and executive functions are suppressed, leading to increased impulsion
• diffusion of responsibility- shared responsibility for actions which reduces guilt

Question 4

What are the two types of self-awareness

Answer 4

• private self-awareness - how we pay attention to our own feelings
• public self-awareness - how much we care about what other people think of our behaviour

Question 5

Why do these types of self-awareness decrease when in crowds

Answer 5

• public self-awareness - we care less about what other people think when in crowds as we are less easily identified (anonymity)
• private self-awareness - we pay less attention to our own feelings because we experience less responsibility for our own actions (diffusion of responsibility)

Question 6

What are the two studies which show the influence of de-individuation on aggressive behaviour

Answer 6

1. Zimbardos SPE (1972)
2. Zimbardo (1969)

Question 7

Explain how Zimbardo’s (1969) study highlights the role of anonymity in aggressive behaviour

Answer 7

Females who were in a de-individuated state (sat in separate cubicles, wearing hoods and lab coats) were more likely to issue an electric shock compared to those in an individuated state (wore name tags and normal clothes, introduced to each other)

Question 8

How does SPE highlight the role of de-individuating in aggressive behaviour

Answer 8

Prison guards were in a de-individuated state- acting in a group, had anonymity due to wearing uniforms and mirrored sunglasses

Question 9

What is a real-life application of de-individuation

Answer 9

It can explain the behaviour shown during mob lynchings and baiting crowds during suicides jumps