Monday, 29 June 2015

Deindividuation - Aggression

Theory

Deindividuation- to lose one's sense of individuality and identity. Occurs in two ways:
1) Becoming part of a crowd
2) Identifying with a particular role

Individuals feel less identifiable in a group, so that normal constraints that prevent aggressive behaviour may be lost. (key terms: anonymity, suggestibility and contagion)

Le Bon (1895) - 'crowd theory' - Individuals are more likely to behave in an aggressive manner when a part of a large anonymous group.

When does deindividuation occur?

- Self-awareness is blocked by environmental events.
- Strong feeling of group membership.
- Increased levels of arousal.
- Focus on external events.
- Feeling of anonymity.

Perception of time is distorted and they are unable to consider consequences.

Critical Factors --> Reduced self-awareness --> Deindividuation

Zimbardo's Theory (1969)

- Being a part of a crowd diminishes the awareness of our own individuality. This is caused by:
1. Anonymity
2. Diminished fear of negative evaluation of actions by others.
3. A reduced sense of guilt.

Therefore the barriers to antisocial behaviour are weakened and aggressive behaviour occurs.


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Research and Evaluation

Research on Deindividuation



General Evaluation

+ Lots of research

- Deindividuation is not always inevitable
- Individual differences
- Reductionist? (doesn't take into account social norms - e.g. brutality of guards prison experiment)
- Free Will vs Determinism (suggests presence of group is to blame)
- Lack of support - Postmes and Speares (1998) meta analysis of 60 studies concluded insufficient data for claims. 


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