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 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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