Deindividuation Revisit
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Deindividuation RevisitRecap Deindividuation TheoryA02 for
Deindividuation TheoryPlan a 20 mark question on
Deindividuation
Evaluation of Deindividuation theorySupported by Research
Watson (1974) evaluated 23 cultures to determine whether
warriors who used war paint or masks in battle treated their
victims differently
80 percent of warriors in these cultures were found to be more
destructive--for example, killing, torturing or mutilating their
victims--than unpainted or unmasked warriors.
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Evaluation of Deindividuation theoryWatson (1974)
80% of warriors in these cultures (painted) were found to be
more destructive to their victims during war
80 percent of warriors in these cultures were found to be more
destructive--for example, killing, torturing or mutilating their
victims--than unpainted or unmasked warriors.
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Evaluation of Deindividuation theorySupported by Research
Mann et al (1981) analysed 21 incidents of suicide in the 60s
and 70s. 10 of these cases had people baiting the person to jump.
These all occurred when the crowd was large, it was at night and
there was a large distance from the jumper
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Evaluation of Deindividuation theorySupported by Research
Diener (1976) Field study1,300 Trick or Treaters Trick or
treaters instructed to take sweets from a bowl in the living
room
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Diener (1976)
Deiner (1976)Incidents of anti-social behaviour (stealing) went
from 8% to 80% when the child is deindividuated!
Evaluation of Deindividuation theory Postmes & Spears
(1998)
1. Deindividuation increases conformity of aggressive behaviour
in aggressive crowds
2. Reduced focus on individual self, but not total
disappearance
Evaluation of Deindividuation theory Removes blame from the
individual
Free will & determinism we have no control over our
behaviours11
Evaluation of Deindividuation theory Anonymity among in-group or
out-group?
Evaluation of Deindividuation theory Deindividuation does not
always lead to aggression
Gergen et al (1973) 12 Ppts taken to a dark room (were unable to
identify each other)First 15 minutes polite/small talkBy 60
minutes, inhibitions had lowered and ppts got physical
Gergens Dark Room experimentMore than half the participants had
cuddled
80% of participants claimed to have felt sexually aroused
Outline and Evaluate Deindividuation theory as an explanation
for aggression (20 Marks)A01 = 4 marks
Briefly outline Deindividuation Theory Stemmed from Le Bon OR
Festinger first coined the term Deindividuation What are the
characteristics (Diener)
Outline and Evaluate Deindividuation theory as an explanation
for aggression (20 Marks)A02
Supporting research: Zimbardo (1965); SFE Zimbardo; Deiner;
Mann; WatsonRefuting points:Gergen; Postmes & Spears
Outline and Evaluate Deindividuation theory as an explanation
for aggression (20 Marks)A03
Outline and Evaluate Deindividuation theory as an explanation
for aggression (20 Marks)
GenderReductionistEthical Guidelines?Nature vs. NurtureAnimal
StudiesDeterminsm vs. Free WillEthnocentricism
A03
