deindividuation Flashcards
what is deindividuation?
social-psychological theory of aggression that occurs when an individual is part of a group or crowd.
what does the theory state?
that aggression is more likely when an individual experiences a loss of their sense of identity – they no longer feel autonomous as an individual.
what is weakened when they join a group?
morals and beliefs that usually guide their behaviour are weakened and they adopt the morals of the group they are part of at that time (i.e. a mob of football hooligans).
what are the characteristics of deindividuation?
- be within a large crowd
- individuals lower their self evaluation
- anonymity
- ‘collective mind’ takes control of the individual
- individuals are not seen as people
- altered consciousness - drugs/alcohol
what is the process?
- immerse within a crowd
- be anonymous and unaccountable by hiding in the crowd
- so inhibitions to follow social norms are allowed
- awareness of own individuality is lowered
- fear of negative from others is lowered
- see others performing same behaviours remove guilt
supporting research - zimbardo (1969) method
- group of female undergrads required to deliver electric to another student to aid learning
- 1/2 participants wore normal clothes, large name tags, introduced by name etc.
- other 1/2 wore bulky lab coats & hoods, sat in cubicles, never referred to by name
supporting research - zimbardo (1969) findings
participants in the deindividualized condition were more likely to press the shock bottom and they held it down for twice as long
is deindividuation temporary?
yes
real world application
mann -‘baiting crowd’ and suicide jumpers
analysed 21 suicide leaps - 10/21 crowd gathered and baiting occurred - mostly at night as the individuals were anonymous (deindividuation) also more likely to be drunk
positive examples - crowd changes the behaviour of the individual but incites positive behaviours rather than aggression
- church
- football games
- festivals
