Notes on Deindividuation and Crowd Behavior (Transcript-based)

A set of Question and Answer style flashcards covering deindividuation, crowd behavior, intergroup dynamics, identity shift, policing responses, and related experimental observations from the notes.

What is deindividuation?

Loss of individual identity when in a group, leading to reduced self-control and potentially irrational or harmful behavior.

What evidence suggests crowds can trigger bizarre or harmful behaviors?

People may act in ways they wouldn't alone; examples include increased aggression or 'shocks' in group contexts and online nastiness when identity is hidden.

How do clothing and anonymity affect deindividuation?

Wearing outfits that erase personal identity (e.g., KKK robes) and online anonymity can increase aggressive or harmful actions.

From an intergroup perspective, what are four issues with the deindividuation theory?

Violence is not random but under some level of control; crowds often know each other; presence of weapons does not guarantee uniform behavior; people in crowds can still feel pride and confidence.

What is the ingroup/outgroup dynamic in crowd behavior?

People identify with an ingroup ('us') and distinguish themselves from an outgroup ('them'), leading to a sense of us/them and behavior aligned with group norms.

What is collective action as discussed in the notes?

Protests or stand-for-yourself actions taken as a group, where individuals adopt group identity and norms.

How does identity change when joining a crowd?

An individual takes on a new group-defined identity, seeing themselves as a member of the group rather than as a unique individual.

How do police appearance and crowd behavior interact at protests?

Riot gear can escalate violence, while police who look ordinary can de-escalate by appearing as real people and reducing perceived threat.

What policing approach was highlighted for Parliament Covid protests?

A de-escalation approach where police engage with civilians personally rather than relying on force.

What does the notes say about who the rioters tend to attack?

Rioters often target specific groups rather than attacking fellow rioters, guided by group norms.

How did authority cues influence behavior in the prison study described (Zimbardo/Jaffe)?

Authority figures giving directives reinforced the behavior; lack of timely intervention allowed the actions to continue and the group to form cohesion.

What was observed about guard brutality in the notes?

There was no clear evidence of guard brutality; prisoners became more confident than the guards.

What did Rees (2025) report about women's role in concentration camps?

Women workers were as brutal as men, indicating gender did not prevent participation in cruelty.

What historical example illustrates crowd violence increasing with larger crowds?

Lynching in the US, where larger crowds correlated with greater harm to victims and online anonymity fostered nastiness.