Topics in Psychology Aggression AQA Unit 3

Deindividuation Theory Based on Le Bon (1895) Individuals are transformed when in a crowd. An individual in a crowd ‘descends several rungs of the ladder of civilisation’. Anonymity + suggestibility + contagion = ‘collective mind’ possesses individuals. The individual loses self control and acts against personal/social norms.

Part 2 On the following slides you will see a series of pictures. What connects them?

Social Psychological Approaches

Social Psychological Approaches

Social Psychological Approaches

Social Psychological Approaches

Social Psychological Approaches

Social Psychological Approaches

Social Psychological Approaches

Social Psychological Approaches

Social Psychological Approaches

Social Psychological Approaches

Social Psychological Approaches

Social Psychological Approaches

Social Psychological Approaches

Social Psychological Approaches

Social Psychological Approaches

Social Psychological Approaches

Social Psychological Approaches

What is the connection?

Gustav Le Bon (1885) Crowd theory: He recognised that when in an anonymous crowd a ‘group mentality’ can take over a person and they can easily lose their self-control, carried away by the contagious nature of the group. He also suggested this was an animal like mind – like a pack!

Deindividuation Theory Zimbardo (1969) introduced the theory of deindividuation to explain why membership of a large anonymous group can lead to more antisocial behaviour than if individuals are on their own. According to deindividuation theory when someone is part of an anonymous group (particularly if wearing a uniform) they lose their personal identity and their inhibitions about the way they behave, some people may even become violent.

The process… Being anonymous, your inner constraints (inhibitions) are reduced and your fear of consequences are reduced. People lose sense of personal values and normal social norms. It is usually seen as a negative thing!

Zimbardo on the psychology of evil https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5phRpcDyouA (10 mins)

Deindividuation Psychological State characterised by… Lowered self evaluation & reduced sense of guilt. Decrease in concern about evaluation from others. Increases behaviour that is normally inhibited by norms and by being identifiable.

Can this be explained?

Deindividuation Theory TASK: Deindividuation Theory Based on your notes write a description of the theory in your own words as if answering the following question. ‘Describe the deindividuation theory of aggression’

Deindividuation Theory Recap TASK: Deindividuation Theory Recap Draw a cartoon picture that summarises the deindividuation theory.

about testing deindividuation? How would you go about testing deindividuation? Look at the research that has been conducted - see dog book p68-69 Make a list of what, when, who and how. Prep: Choose one study to investigate further, see what else you can find

Play Spot the study