Outline and Evaluate One Social Psychological Theory of Aggression

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Outline and evaluate one social psychological theory of aggression Deindividuation is one social psychological theory used to explain aggression. Deindividuation suggests that a person loses their inhibitions because they are no longer identifiable and so finds is easier to act in an aggressive way. One way that people can become deindividuated is by being a part of a big group or crowd. Deindividuation helps explain why people who are usually calm can turn aggressive when part of, for example, a riot. Le Bon said that individuals are more likely to behave in an aggressive manner when part of a large anonymous group. A collective mindset is created and the group can become a mob. Phillip Zimbardo suggested that being part of a group affects you in two ways: it reduces inhibitions therefore allowing individuals to do things they wouldn’t normally do, and it makes a person feel anonymous meaning there is likelihood of a social disapproval and there is a reduced sense of guilt. Diener believed that Deindividuation is more about less self awareness. He said that strong group feelings, increased self arousal and a sense of anonymity leads to reduced self awareness leading to Deindividuation. And finally, Prentice-Dunn and Rogers said that being in a large group makes people aggressive for two reasons, both linked to a loss of self identity. The two reasons are: Reduced public self awareness, the individual feels like they cant be identified. This allows the individual to act more aggressively as they feel they wont be caught. And Reduced private self awareness: the psychological arousal caused by the crowd and the strong feelings of group membership prevent the individuals from considering their own morals, ideas and making rational decisions. Their behaviour is driven by cues from the group. Evidence supporting Deindividuation being the cause of aggression

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