OUTLINE AND EVALUATE ONE OR MORE SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORY OF
AGGRESSION - DEINDIVIDUATION
AO1 AO2 Research Evaluation/AO2 of research AO2/AO3
One social psychological theory of Zimbardo et al’s Stanford Prison Study High ecological validity Researchers fail to consider
aggression is de-individuation, where a 24 emotionally stable men were Ethical issues, e.g. psychological whether the anonymity of the
person loses a sense of individuality and randomly allocated as either ‘guard’ or harm victims of aggression or of the
identity. This can occur by becoming a ‘prisoner’ in a stimulated prison in Gender bias aggression themselves lead to
part of the crowd or by identifying with Stanford University and they were Culture bias high levels of aggression.
a particular role (often aided by wearing deindivituated to become anonymous Evidence for deindividuation is
a mask or uniform). members of their group. It was found mixed; Postmes and Speares
Le Bon suggested that individuals are that the guards created a brutal meta-analysis concluded that
more likely to behave in an aggressive atmosphere and the prisoners began to there was insufficient support
manner when they are a part of a large react passively. The guards used both for the theory.
anonymous group. Individuals feel less physical and verbal forms of the
identifiable in a group, so the normal aggression and the prisoners were felt
constraints that prevent aggressive helpless and no longer in control of their
behaviour may be lost. The shared lives. This shows that deindividuation
responsibility for actions reduces leads to a lowered sense of personal
individual guilt. identity and a host of disinhibited
Diener also suggests that antisocial behaviours, such as
deindividuation occurs when self- psychological and physical aggression.
awareness is blocked by environmental Watson et al This study is a cross-cultural
events. The deindividuated individual is Who looked at 24 cultures and found study meaning that we can use
trapped in the moment, perception is that warriors I face or body paint were such findings as a universal
distorted and they are unable to think more likely to kill, mutilate, and torture explanation of aggression
of consequences. captive prisoners.
Johnson and Downing Although giving some support
Where participants were made for deindividuation, there is also
anonymous by either wearing the Klu the possibility that the findings
Kluz Klan uniform or a nurse’s uniform. are due to social roles suggested
Compared to the controlled condition, by the uniform worn.
participants were more shocked
wearing the KKK uniform than wearing
the nurse’s uniform.
AGGRESSION - DEINDIVIDUATION
AO1 AO2 Research Evaluation/AO2 of research AO2/AO3
One social psychological theory of Zimbardo et al’s Stanford Prison Study High ecological validity Researchers fail to consider
aggression is de-individuation, where a 24 emotionally stable men were Ethical issues, e.g. psychological whether the anonymity of the
person loses a sense of individuality and randomly allocated as either ‘guard’ or harm victims of aggression or of the
identity. This can occur by becoming a ‘prisoner’ in a stimulated prison in Gender bias aggression themselves lead to
part of the crowd or by identifying with Stanford University and they were Culture bias high levels of aggression.
a particular role (often aided by wearing deindivituated to become anonymous Evidence for deindividuation is
a mask or uniform). members of their group. It was found mixed; Postmes and Speares
Le Bon suggested that individuals are that the guards created a brutal meta-analysis concluded that
more likely to behave in an aggressive atmosphere and the prisoners began to there was insufficient support
manner when they are a part of a large react passively. The guards used both for the theory.
anonymous group. Individuals feel less physical and verbal forms of the
identifiable in a group, so the normal aggression and the prisoners were felt
constraints that prevent aggressive helpless and no longer in control of their
behaviour may be lost. The shared lives. This shows that deindividuation
responsibility for actions reduces leads to a lowered sense of personal
individual guilt. identity and a host of disinhibited
Diener also suggests that antisocial behaviours, such as
deindividuation occurs when self- psychological and physical aggression.
awareness is blocked by environmental Watson et al This study is a cross-cultural
events. The deindividuated individual is Who looked at 24 cultures and found study meaning that we can use
trapped in the moment, perception is that warriors I face or body paint were such findings as a universal
distorted and they are unable to think more likely to kill, mutilate, and torture explanation of aggression
of consequences. captive prisoners.
Johnson and Downing Although giving some support
Where participants were made for deindividuation, there is also
anonymous by either wearing the Klu the possibility that the findings
Kluz Klan uniform or a nurse’s uniform. are due to social roles suggested
Compared to the controlled condition, by the uniform worn.
participants were more shocked
wearing the KKK uniform than wearing
the nurse’s uniform.
