De-individuation evaluation Flashcards
1
Q
STRENGTH: supportive research evidence
A
- Douglas and McGarthy looked at aggressive online behaviour in chatrooms.
- They found a strong positive correlation between anonymity and ‘flaming’ (hostile messages). The most aggressive messages were sent by those who had hidden their identities.
- Suggests a link between anonymity, De-indivuation and aggression which is relevant to modern day.
2
Q
LIMITATION: Contradictory evidence
A
- Gergen put strangers in a darkened room and told them to do what they wanted - they began kissing and touching
- ‘Deviance in the dark’ study was repeated when pps told that they would be face to face afterwards, kissing and touching had reduced.
- Despite the guarantee of anonymity creating the conditions for de individuation aggressive behaviour was not an outcome of this study
3
Q
STRENGTH: useful real life applications
A
- De individuation theory can help us to understand aggressive behaviour in online services such as Xbox Live
- These services have features promoting de individuation: reduction of personal identity and an arousing immersive enviroment
- This real life application confirms the relevance of de indivuation concepts to aggression