Deindividuation theory is based on Le Bon's crowd theory which described how an individual changes their behaviour when part of a crowd due to anonymity, suggestibility and contagion; a collective mindset takes hold of the individual and they lose self-control. They become capable of acting in a way that goes against social or personal norms normally adhered to when not in a crowd.
Deindividuation is a psychological state characterised by lowered self-awareness and decreased concerns about evaluation by others, causing behaviour normally inhibited by personal or social norms because of evaluation. Anonymity occurs when a person joins a large crowd. They feel reduced responsibility, increased arousal and sensory overload. Social norms that normally inhibit uncivilised behaviour are disregarded. An individual is easily identified, whereas in a crowd they feel anonymous and are less likely to be held accountable for actions. This results in reduced self-control and increase in normally inhibited behaviours.
Zimbardo found participants were more willing to give confederates electric shocks if they had their identities hidden compared to those with exposed identities due to participants becoming deindividuated. However, this was conducted in a laboratory setting therefore is not representative of how deindividuation may occur within real life therefore lacks external validity. A small sample of only female participants was used creating gender bias in research. These factors limit the generalisations that can be made from findings. Ethical issues are also a concern as participants could see the reactions of the confederates when giving shocks, this may have caused stress, particularly for those not in a deindividuated state. Zimbardo argued these conditions were necessary to prove how deindividuation worked and intervening would have invalidated results.
Mullen et al analysed our 60 newspaper reports of lynch mob killings finding the larger the mob size, the more crowd violence occurred which can be explained through deindividuation. Large crowds allowed for more people to become anomalous causing a breakdown in self regulation processes, resulting in increased levels of violence. However with correlational data we cannot be sure of cause and effect. We cannot determine that the greater level of violence was due to deindividuation or due to other factors. Additionally, reliability of the study relied on accuracy of reports, there may have been other causes for the aggression by the mobs which we are unaware. These problems of reliability and validity show the difficulty of finding strong experimental evidence in social psychology.
Both Zimbardo and Mullen's studies suggest that aggressive behaviour was increased while in a deindividuated state therefore providing overall support for the theory. Zimbardo proposed being part of a crowd reduces awareness of own individuality. Anonymity reduces concerns about how others evaluate them, so weakening any feelings of guilt or shame. Therefore such aggressive behaviour is expected while in this state.
Deindividuation as a theory explains aggression in crowds. It is argued aggressive confrontational policing can be explain through the belief all people can become aggressive with a crowd. Police officers become deindividuated by wearing helmets and visors which may lead them to act more aggressively. However, research has led to a practical application of use of CCTV cameras. Deindividuation theory sees people as behaving aggressively when they lose their sense of identity. The use of CCTV ensures individuals know they can be identified. This has been successful in deterring aggressive behaviour at football matches.
This theory has been criticised for being reduction, ignoring the role of biological and environmental factors, and also in assuming that people act aggressively due to a deindividuated state alone. Emergent norm theory suggests people do not lose the power to choose behaviour just because they are in a crowd, which is what deindividuation theory suggests. It ignores the role of free will and suggests complex behaviour can be explained due to a crowd. Environmental factors such as social learning and biological factors do not go away purely because someone is in a crowd, therefore deindividuation can only partially explain causes of aggressive behaviour.
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