Deindividuation

Question 1

Zimbardo (1969)

Answer 1

Deindividuation is a psychological state in which we have lowered self evaluation, freeing us from constraints of social norms. Darkness, uniforms and large groups promote deindividuation and thus aggression

Question 2

Social norms

Answer 2

Awareness of social norms can prevent aggressive and deviant behaviour. In public spaces we carry out continual self-assessment to ensure compliance with social norms

Question 3

Anonymity

Answer 3

When part of a crowd, we become anonymous (not identifiable) and lose our individualised sense of identity, loosening our normal inhibitions

Question 4

Prentice-Dunn & Rogers

Answer 4

Deindividuation makes aggression more likely due to the consequences of anonymity. These are linked to private and public self awareness

Question 5

Strengths of deindividuation

Answer 5

• Supportive evidence for anonymity (eg. Malamuth found 35% of male undergrads admitted they would rape if guaranteed anonymity)
• Real world application (eg. Mann found crowds encouraging suicide jumpers more likely when darker, larger, distant)

Question 6

Limitations of deindividuation

Answer 6

• Gender differences (eg. Cannavle found when placed in deindividuated settings increased aggression only in men, presenting beta bias)
• Anonymity doesn’t always lead to aggression (eg. Gergen deviance in the dark study found strangers placed in a dark room more likely to engage in sexual behaviour if told they wouldn’t meet after)