Deindividuation

Deindividuation

Nature of deindividuation
1. reduced self-evaluation - decreased concern about evaluation from others
2. leads to an increase in antisocial behaviour
3. more likely when anonymous - in a large crowd or drunk
Process of deindividuation
1. social norms usually inhibit antisocial behaviour
2. inhibitions removed when deindividuated
3. conditions that increase anonymity weaken barriers to antisocial behaviour
Research on deindividuation
1. faceless crowd - lynchings more savage when large crowds - Mullen (1986) : baiting crowd - Mann (1981)
Reduced private self-awareness
1. reduced self-awareness more important than anonymity
2. in large crowds less able to self-regulate behaviour
IDA
1. Gender bias - males more likely to become aggressive when deindividuated - Cannavale et al (1970)
2. Real-world application - the baiting crowd
Evaluation
1. anonymity - Zimbardo (1969) found longer shocks when anonymous
2. local group norms - people respond to normative cues within the social context
3. meta-analysis - Postmes and Spears (1998) - insufficient support for claims of theory
4. evidence of online aggression when deindividuated - Francis et al (2006)
5. deindividuation may increase prosocial behaviour in some situations
6. cultural difference - cultures that change appearance more brutal in war - Watson (1973)

Resource summary

	Created by 07huntk almost 10 years ago