deindividuation Flashcards
What is deindividuation?
Deindividuation is a psychological state where individuals lose their personal identity and adopt the identity of the group, leading to a loss of self-awareness and a reduction in personal responsibility.
Who first introduced the concept of deindividuation?
Gustave Le Bon (1895) first introduced the concept, arguing that in large crowds, individuals become anonymous and more likely to act aggressively.
What did Zimbardo (1969) contribute to deindividuation theory?
Zimbardo distinguished between individuated and deindividuated states. When deindividuated, people lose self-regulation and act in a disinhibited, emotional, and anti-normative manner, increasing aggression.
What role does anonymity play in deindividuation?
Anonymity reduces fear of punishment, leading to less accountability and increased likelihood of aggression (Dixon & Mahendran, 2012).
What did Prentice-Dunn and Rogers (1982) propose about deindividuation?
They suggested that deindividuation occurs due to reduced private self-awareness (less reflection on actions) and reduced public self-awareness (less concern for social evaluation), making aggression more likely.
How does deindividuation relate to online aggression?
Online anonymity can lead to aggressive behavior such as trolling and cyberbullying, as seen in studies like Douglas & McGarty (2001).
What research supports deindividuation leading to aggression?
Dodd (1985) found that 36% of psychology students would engage in antisocial behavior if anonymous, including 26% suggesting criminal acts.
What did Diener et al. (1976) find about deindividuation?
Children in anonymous groups on Halloween were more likely to steal than identifiable children, supporting the link between anonymity and antisocial behavior.
What is a contradiction to deindividuation leading to aggression?
Gergen et al. (1973) found that when strangers were placed in a dark room with complete anonymity, they engaged in intimate behaviors rather than aggression.
What did Johnson and Downing’s study suggest about deindividuation?
Individuals dressed as Ku Klux Klan members administered stronger shocks, while those dressed as nurses gave fewer shocks, suggesting deindividuation amplifies group norms rather than directly causing aggression.
What is a real-world application of deindividuation theory?
Online anonymity has been linked to increased cyber-aggression, leading to interventions like platform moderation and identity verification to reduce harmful behaviors.
What did Spears and Lea (1992) argue about online anonymity?
They suggested that online anonymity leads individuals to conform to group norms, explaining why toxic online communities may foster aggression.
Why is deindividuation not a universal explanation for aggression?
Research suggests that deindividuation can also promote prosocial behavior depending on social cues, meaning it does not always lead to aggression.
