Social Psychological - Deindividuation Flashcards
Why are we normally inhibited from acting aggressively?
Because we are easily identifiable and fear the consequences
How do people in a large group feel?
They feel faceless as part of a group. This anonymity reduces our usual inhibitions causing people to act differently. There is less fear of retribution and a lower sense of guilt.
What does anonymity lead to?
Reduced inhibitions
What is reduced when part of a group?
Inhibitions
Fear of retribution
Sense of guilt
What happens as the size of the group increases?
People feel more anonymous and the deindivuation effect increases
How is a state of deindividuation in an individual enhanced?
If it is dark, if there is a distance between them and the event and if the crowd is large.
What studies are elevant to deindividuation?
Mann
Zimbardo
What can deindividuation explain?
Why normally peaceful, non-aggressive people sometimes become aggressive when in a large group.
What were Mann’s findings?
After analysing 21 incidents of suicide reported in American newspapers in the 60’s and 70’s he found in 10 of these cases a crowd gathered and baiting occurred.
How does Mann’s study support the deindividuation effect?
Because the incidents often occurred at night when it was dark. The crowd was often large and some distance away from the victim. The deindividuation theory states darkness, distance and size of the crowd are likely to produce a state of deindividuation in an individual.
What is the problem with the deindivuation theory?
Not all crowds become aggressive. In fact, serious violence is uncommon in crowds, even those engaged in angry protest.
What debates are relevant to deindividuation?
Socially sensitive
Determinism
Explain the relevant debates…
This theory and associated research is deterministic as it claims people have lost free will and their behaviour is fixed as a result of the groups behaviour. This is also socially sensitive as people may try to justify unacceptable behaviour because they had no control over it. Obviously this is not valid and would never be accepted in a court.
What were zimbardos findings?
Participants in the deindividuation condition shocked the learner for longer than the identifiable participants.
What were Mann’s findings?
After analysing 21 incidents of suicide reported in American newspapers in the 60’s and 70’s he found in 10 of these cases a crowd gathered and baiting occurred.
