De-individuation as an explination for aggression Flashcards
What is de-individuation based on
The classic crowd theory of Gustave Le Bon, who described how an individual was transformed by a crown. The combination of anonymity and contagion meant that a “collective mind” takes possession of the individual
Who created the classic crowd theory
Gustave Le Bon
Who developed the concept of de-individualtion
Zimbardo
What did zimbardo believe being in a large crowd gave you
A ‘cloak of anonymity’ that diminished personal consequences for actions. Factors contributing to de-individuation include anonymity (wearing a uniform) and altered conciousness due to drugs or alcohol
What is the process of de-individuation
People normally refrain from aggression becaus of social norms inhibiting such ‘uncivilised’ behaviour. Being ananymous reduces inner restraints, increasing usually inhibited behaviors. The diminished fears of negative evaluation that comes as part of a crowd as well as reduced guilt also contribute to changing behaviour.
What factors effect increases in aggressive behaviour
Group size - larger the group the greater the anonymity
Altered conciousness
What does increased anonymity cause
Minimsed concerns of evaluation by others,
less social barriers like guilt or shame
less inhibited behaviour
What did Zimbardo stress about large groups
They can lead to an increase in pro-social behaviour, such as at music festivals
What was zimbardo’s study on de-individuation
Female undergraduates were made to deliver shocks to aid learning. Half were anonamised with large hoods, bulky lab coats and seperate cubicles. Others wore normal clothes, large name tags and were introduced to one another, and were able to see one another. Those who were de-individuated were more likely to shock someone and held it down twice as long
How can the Stanford Prison Experiment be used as evidence of de-individuation
Guards were de-individuated with mirrored sunglasses and we all know how that went
What are possible gender differences in de-individuation (eval)
Cannavale found that an increase in aggression was obtained in all male groups and not all female groups. Diener found greater disinhibition of aggression in de-individuatied men than women. One possible reason is that men tend to respond to provocation in more extreme ways than women, which is magnified by de-individuation
Who found aggression was increased in all male groups under de-individuation but not all female groups
Cannavale
Who found that there was greater disinhibition of aggression in men
Diener
What is the real world application of de-individuation studies (eval)
Mann used the concept to explain the ‘baiting crowd’ and suicide jumpers. He found incidents of the baiting crowd occured mostly at night, when the crowd was large and was some distance from the person being taunted (particularly when they were high above them). These are all features that contribute to a state of de-individuation. This effect was also found in lynchings in which the larger the mob the greater the savagery
Wh explained the ‘baiting crowd’
Mann
Who did a study on tribal warriors put on make up
Robert Watson
Who did research supporting the role of anonymity in de-individuation
Rehm
