Social Psychological Explanations of Aggression: De-Individuation

• De-individuation

  Characteristic of crowd or 'group' behaviour, where we feel no personal responsibility for our actions (diminished) because this responsibility is shared among the group. Likewise, we do not fear retaliation for such actions because we are just one anonymous face in a large crowd. This prevents our behaviour from being restricted by social norms.
• Antinormative and disinhibited behaviour

  When we enter a group setting or crowd, our behaviour becomes antinormative and disinhibited, as opposed to restrained by social norms. This means that laws and social norms no longer apply to our behaviour, as we cannot be judged by others through being anonymous, nor will we face up to the consequences of our behaviour.
• Dodd (1985)

  • 36% of 226 psychology undergraduates would behave in an antisocial manner, whilst only 9% would act righteously e.g. helping the poor, when given free-reign over any events and remaining anonymous
• There are practical applications associated with an improved understanding of de-individuation, particularly in the media, as suggested by Douglas and McGarty (2001)
• The most violent and aggressive messages were sent by those who concealed their identities in studies of chatroom activities
• Johnson and Downing (1979) found that participants who were dressed in a KKK uniform were significantly more aggressive and delivered higher-intensity electric shocks to confederates, compared to those dressed as nurses
• This suggests that the social roles associated with uniforms are emphasised, and not lost, within a group setting
• Le Bon and Dodd may have overemphasised the importance of de-individuation and diminished responsibility as an explanation for aggression, as suggested by Spears and Lea (1992)
• Social Identity model of De-Individuation Effects

  A shift of focus/attention from oneself as an individuation, to one's part as part of a larger anonymous group causes conformity to the established norms of behaviour within the group, which may be prosocial or antisocial
• This suggests that de-individuation is only a partial explanation for aggression, and that an individual's private and public self-awareness are far more important processes