Transcript Deindividuation

Deindividuation
Questions to consider…
• What are some reasons why people behave
differently in groups than as individuals?
• Can you think of examples of ‘mob
mentality’? Postive and negative?
• Why do you think this phenomenon exists?
Deindividuation
• Becoming part of a large group, such as an
army or a mob
• Becoming engrossed in an interesting task
• Meditation and other contemplative activities
Causes
• Anonymity
• Diffused Responsibility
• Group Size
Definition
• Hogg and Vaughan (2008) define
deindividuation as: ‘a process whereby people
lose their sense of socialised identity and
engage in unsocialised, often antisocial
behaviours’.
Psychological Effects
• “(Deindividuation) creates a unique
psychological state in which behaviour
comes under the control of immediate
situational demands and biological,
hormonal urges. With inner restraints
suspended behaviour is totally under
external situational control; outer
dominates inner"
- Zimbardo (University of Stanford,
Pyschology Professor)
Applying it to Lord of the Flies
• What kind of situational demands do the boys
feel in Jack’s tribe?
• What biological urges do they feel?
Effects
“The effects of mobs are particularly alarming
as lynchings, riots and wartime atrocities have
all been done during periods of
deindividuation. Crowds give you the
opportunity to hide and also allow you to share
the blame, reducing the sense of individual
responsibility. Uniforms and war-paint also
help hide your true identity. Even sunglasses
can support aggressive attitudes as they hide
the eyes, a very important part of the
individual.”
Why do you think New York
has a public gathering law that
requires a permit for gatherings
of more than 50 people?
Golding’s World
• What groups do you think Golding was
thinking about when he wrote the book?
Your World
• What experiences have you had of
deindividuation?
Back to the Book
• Is deindividuation a good or bad thing?
• Can you think of way to prevent
deindividuation from occurring?
• In your opinion, could Ralph have done
something to stop or prevent Jack’s ‘mob’?