Deindividuation - Social explanation of aggression

Deindividuation:

The loss of self awareness as we feel no personal responsibility towards our actions because it’s shared among the group. We become anonymous within a group of people.

Research on deindividuation:

Dodd (1985) found if given free reign over events, 36% of psychology students would behave in an antisocial manner e.g. rob a bank.

Public self awareness:

How much we care about what other people think of our behaviour. This is reduced in a group as we realise we are just one individual so our behaviour is less likely to be judged.

Private self awareness:

How we pay attention to our own behaviour and feelings. This is reduced when we are part of a crowd.

Research support

Douglas and McGarty (2001) found a strong correlation between anonymity and flaming on online chatrooms, the most aggressive messages were sent by those who have to hide their identity

Contradicting evidence

Gergen 'deviance in the dark' (1973) ps who were deindividuaised were more intimate with each other that those that were identifiable. Shows that anonymity does not always lead to aggressive behaviour.

Genetic factors ignored

Brunner (1993) Dutch family who all had low levels of the MAOA gene they had committed violent crimes. This was because they were unable to breakdown serotonin in the brain.