Social Psychology: Deindividuation

This brief powerpoint was created for a Social Psychology class for extra credit.

1. DEINDIVIDUATION “LOST IN THE CROWD” A PHOTOGRAPH ANALYSIS OF A CONCEPT IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY By: C hantal C omeau

2. Social Psychology: The Concept o f Deindividuation There are many concepts and theories in Social Psychology, however the concept of deindividuation can assist social psychologists in explaining impulsive, aggressive and even violent behaviours of individuals in large groups, crowds and mobs. Deindividuation is “the loss of self awareness and of individual accountability in a group” ( Deindividuation , 2010 ).

3. Social Psychology: Deindividuation &Crowd Theory Gustave LeBon created the concept of how individuals can lose their individuality through the collectiveness of a crowd. This “Crowd Theory” suggests that “the collective mind is reached when people lose their individual emotions, thoughts, and actions”(Li, 2010). When individuals within a crowd adopt difference behaviours then their usual selves they can become free of all individual identity and consequentially personal repercussions. This process of “uniform manner” is an effect that LeBon titled ‘contagion’ (Li, 2010). This can lead to feelings of fortification and/or being absolved of any wrong doing regardless of actions and/or behaviours.

4. Social Psychology: Deindividuation &Crowd Theory According to LeBon (1960) there are two processes of thinking in the group mind (Li, 2010). The first process : A loss of rational and intellectual parts which are valuable in restraining individuals from acting/behaving in extreme manners. The second process : is the “uncontrollable spread of primitive and aggressive emotions” (Li, 2010). The crowd will satiate their primitive instincts, and urges in savage and uncivilized manners. These processes can arguably be witnessed in the case of the KKK, an extreme political hate group, which we will now examine.

5. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was formed in 1866 in Tennessee as a response to the Republican P arties P olicies concerning political and economical equality for African Americans. The KKK are white supremacists that exhibit hatred, treats and even violence towards non-Caucasian peoples who they believe are inferior (History.com Staff, 2009). (KKK Cross Burning, 2013)

6. Deindividuation & Crowd Theory: The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) T he KKK is a vivid depiction in terms of deindividuation due to their anonymity through disguises and uniforms (white masks and robes) and their extreme political and religious ideologies in regards to inequality, intolerance, segregation, treats, rage, ignorance, and violence towards humanity, specifically towards non-Caucasians. Throughout history the KKK have committed “murder , lynching, arson, rape, and bombing to oppose the granting of civil rights to African Americans” (“ Ku Klux Klan, 2005).

7. (KKK Torches, n.d .)

8. Deindividuation & Crowd Theory: The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) The Klan although responsible for numerous acts of hatred and violence may also have individual members within their midst whom are loving and dedicated parents and friends. These individuals might be employed and have honest and qualified jobs, be respected within their communities and may even be law- abiding citizens . The masks and robes in which they disguise themselves in, allows them to conceal their true identities and are key in provoking their deplorable behaviours and actions; allows them to hide behind a false sense of security.

9. Conclusion When people feel like they belong to a group, regardless of its intentions or political agendas, they tend to demonstrate an anti-normative behaviour. Regardless of age, gender and social class, it is easy to fall prey to the psychological condition of deindividuation . The loss of our rational and intellectual faculties can hinder our abilities to maintain control and restraint of our primitive urges and savage desires. It is imperative that whenever we subject ourselves to groups, crowds or we disguise ourselves in garments that we maintain a sense of self-awareness in our reputations and roles within society in order to avoid the risk of deindividuation .

10. References Deindividuation . (2010, June 8). Retrieved November 23, 2014, from http :// www.psychwiki.com/wiki/Deindividuation Ku Klux Klan. (2005). In West's Encyclopedia of American Law . Retrieved November 23, 2014 from Encyclopedia.com: http:// www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437702562.html Ku Klux Klan. (2009, January 1). Retrieved November 23, 2014, from http :// www.history.com/topics/ku-klux-klan Li, Brian. (2010). The Theories of Deindividuation (CMC Senior Thesis, Claremont McKenna College). Retrieved from http :// scholarship.claremont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=10 18&contextcmc_theses

11. References Image 1. KKK Cross Burning. Adapted from “Ku Klux Klan Holds 1st National Meeting On This Day In 1867,” by D.L. Chandler, 2013 , Newsone . Retrieved Nov 22 , 2014, from http ://newsone.com/2412914/kkk-history. Copyright 2014 by Interactive One Image 2. KKK Torches. Adapted from “KKK,” ( n.d ), 1920’s . Retrieved Nov 23, 2014, from http ://devins1920sproject.weebly.com/kkk.html