Outline the theory of deindividuation.

(8 marks) One social psychological theory of aggression is Zimbardos deindividuation theory, which states that aggressive behaviour is the result of a loss of personal identity and individuality due to decreased self-assessment and awareness. Factors that cause deindividuation include being in a large crowd, anonymity due to wearing a uniform and altered consciousness due to drugs or alcohol. Deindividuation leads to reduced inner restraints and therefore an increase in behaviours that are usually inhibited and also reduces the fear of negative evaluation from others. This leads to an increase in aggressive behaviours. According to Diener (1980), deindividuation occurs when self-awareness is blocked by environmental events. Critical factors include strong feelings of group membership, increased levels of arousal, focus on external events and feeling of anonymity. He suggests that all these critical factors leads to reduced self-awareness, which leads to deindividuation. However PrenticeDunn & Rogers (1982) modified Dieners theory to distinguish between Public self-awareness and private self-awareness where public awareness is the concern over the impression of yourself you are presenting to others when you are aware of being judged versus your sense of self, consisting of thoughts, feelings and values of internal standards of behaviour. Reduction in either can result in aggressive behaviour, but only reductions in private self-awareness can lead to genuine deindividuation.