Deindividuation - Evaluations Flashcards
How did Dodd (1985) demonstrate deindividuation?
Dodd asked psychology students what they would do if assured they wouldn’t be detected or held responsible. Responses were rated for antisocial content. Results showed 36% were antisocial and 26% were criminal, revealing a link between deindividuation, anonymity, and aggression.
What did Diener’s (1976) natural experiment reveal about deindividuation and aggression?
Diener observed Halloween trick-or-treaters under different conditions. Children in anonymous groups stole the most (57%), compared to 21% in identifiable groups. This supports deindividuation theory, indicating that anonymity in a group increases socially deviant behavior.
What did Malmouth and Check (1981) find regarding deindividuation and aggressive behavior?
Malmouth and Check’s study in North America asked if individuals would rape if not caught. 35% of university students said yes, supporting the idea that deindividuation can increase aggressive behavior.
What did Johnson & Downing (1979) discover about deindividuation and aggression in a laboratory experiment?
In a Ku Klux Klan-type outfit condition, participants gave higher electric shocks to a confederate compared to those dressed as nurses or in normal clothes. This suggests that when individuals are disguised and their identity is hidden, they may be more likely to engage in aggressive acts.
What challenge exists in separating deindividuation from other explanations of aggression?
It is challenging to distinguish the effects of deindividuation from other explanations like social learning. Instances of aggression in sports events, such as football, may be influenced by cultural factors rather than deindividuation, as observed in sports like rugby and cricket with large crowds but less aggression.
