Psychology: Deindividuation Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is deindividuation?

A psychological state characterised by lowered self-evaluation and low concern about how others view us.

How do Hogg and Vaughan explain deindividuation?

A process whereby people lose their sense of socialised individual identity and engage in unsocialised, often antisocial behaviour.

How can we define deindividuation in terms of aggressive behaviour?

When part of a relatively anonymous group, people lose their personal identity and their inhibitions about violence.

What is the theory of deindividuation based on?

Le Bon's crowd theory. Signup and view all the answers

What does Le Bon's crowd theory suggest about deindividuation?

In a crowd, anonymity, suggestibility, and contagion mean that a 'collective mind' is taken on. Signup and view all the answers

Give examples of factors that can increase a sense of deindividuation.

Large crowd, hoodie, wearing a mask, night-time, altered consciousness, code name like 007. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of how deindividuation may occur at a football match.

Joe attends a football match, gets annoyed with the referee, and loses his individuality by joining the crowd's aggressive behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What does the deindividuation theory suggest about acts of aggression and violence?

People display acts of aggression and violence that they usually wouldn't commit due to loss of personal identity and feeling anonymous. Signup and view all the answers

In terms of deindividuation, what did Zimbardo distinguish between?

Individuated behaviour and deindividuated behaviour. Signup and view all the answers

What are some real-life examples of deindividuation?

Football hooliganism, mosh pit, having a cover teacher. Signup and view all the answers

How can we link deindividuation to conformity?

Deindividuation leads to loss of personal control which subsequently leads to conformity. Signup and view all the answers

How do Prentice-Dunn and Rogers counter argue the idea that anonymity directly leads to aggression?

They argue it is not anonymity directly which leads to aggression but due to the consequences of anonymity. Signup and view all the answers

According to Prentice-Dunn and Rogers, what are the two types of self-awareness?

Private self-awareness and public self-awareness. Signup and view all the answers

How do Prentice-Dunn and Rogers link the 2 types of self-awareness to deindividuation?

A consequence of anonymity is that we lose both private and public self-awareness. Signup and view all the answers

Explain Watson's 'Warriors' research into deindividuation.

He tested the hypothesis that warriors who changed their appearance before going to war were more likely to commit acts of torture and mutilation. Signup and view all the answers

What are some strengths of Watson's warrior study?

It is a natural study with no demand characteristics and includes cross-cultural research. Signup and view all the answers

What did Mann find from his 'Baiting Crowd' study?

Analysed 21 cases of suicide and found baiting occurred in 10 cases where a crowd had gathered, especially at night and when large. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Deindividuation Overview

Deindividuation is a psychological state marked by reduced self-evaluation and diminished concern about others' perceptions.
It often leads individuals to engage in unsocialized and antisocial behaviors.

Explanation of Deindividuation

Hogg and Vaughan describe it as a process where individuals lose their socialized identity within a group, resulting in behaviors that deviate from societal norms.

Aggressive Behavior and Deindividuation

Group anonymity can strip away personal identity and inhibit self-restraint regarding violence.

Theoretical Foundations

Le Bon's crowd theory serves as the basis for understanding deindividuation.
It posits that in crowds, factors like anonymity, suggestibility, and contagion create a 'collective mind,' leading to loss of self-control and actions against personal norms.

Factors Contributing to Deindividuation

Large crowds, wearing hoods or masks, nighttime settings, substance use, and adopting pseudonyms enhance anonymity, thus increasing deindividuation.

Real-Life Application: Football Match

An example of deindividuation, exhibited when fans, influenced by the crowd, may act aggressively, losing individual identity in favor of group identity.

Responsibility and Anonymity

The deindividuation theory suggests that anonymity results in a loss of personal responsibility, making individuals feel less accountable for aggressive acts.

Zimbardo's Distinction

Zimbardo contrasts individuated behavior, which adheres to social norms, with deindividuated behavior, characterized by anonymity, freedom from guilt, and lower concern for societal standards.

Examples of Deindividuation

Real-life instances include football hooliganism, activities in mosh pits, and behaviors in classrooms under substitute teachers.

Connection to Conformity

Deindividuation can diminish personal control, fostering conformity to group norms.

Counter Arguments by Prentice-Dunn and Rogers

They argue that it's not anonymity itself that drives aggression, but rather the consequences associated with being anonymous.

Types of Self-Awareness

Two self-awareness types:
- Private self-awareness involves self-evaluation of behavior.
- Public self-awareness relates to concern for others' opinions.

Linking Self-Awareness to Deindividuation

Anonymity leads to the loss of both private and public self-awareness, enhancing the likelihood of aggressive behavior.

Watson's 'Warriors' Research

Watson posited that warriors altering their appearance before battle were more prone to commit atrocities.
Research indicated a correlation, with most brutal societies changing their appearance before warfare.

Strengths of Watson's Study

The study benefits from naturalistic observations, minimizing demand characteristics, and its cross-cultural approach suggests deindividuation may be a universal phenomenon.

Mann's 'Baiting Crowd' Study

In analyzing cases of suicide, Mann found that baiting often occurred in larger, distant crowds at night, indicating that these conditions foster deindividuation.

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Description

Explore the concept of deindividuation with these informative flashcards. Learn about its definition, psychological implications, and how it can lead to unsocialized behavior. Ideal for psychology students looking to deepen their understanding of group dynamics.