Based on Le Bon (1895) Individuals are transformed when in a crowd. Based on Le Bon (1895) Individuals are transformed when in a crowd

Based on Le Bon (1895) Individuals are transformed when in a crowd.

• Based on Le Bon (1895) Individuals are transformed when in a crowd.

• An individual in a crowd ‘descends several rungs of the ladder of civilisation’.
• Anonymity + suggestibility + contagion
• = ‘collective mind’ possesses individuals.
• The individual loses self control and acts against personal/social norms.

On the following slides you will see a series of pictures. What connects them?

• On the following slides you will see a series of pictures. What connects them?

Crowd theory: He recognised that when in an anonymous crowd a ‘group mentality’ can take over a person and they can easily lose their self-control, carried away by the contagious nature of the group.

• Crowd theory: He recognised that when in an anonymous crowd a ‘group mentality’ can take over a person and they can easily lose their self-control, carried away by the contagious nature of the group.

• He also suggested this was an animal like mind – like a pack!

• Zimbardo (1969) introduced the theory of deindividuation to explain why membership of a large anonymous group can lead to more antisocial behaviour than if individuals are on their own.

• According to deindividuation theory when someone is part of an anonymous group (particularly if wearing a uniform) they lose their personal identity and their inhibitions about the way they behave, some people may even become violent.

Being anonymous, your inner constraints (inhibitions) are reduced and your fear of consequences are reduced.

• Being anonymous, your inner constraints (inhibitions) are reduced and your fear of consequences are reduced.

• People lose sense of personal values and normal social norms. It is usually seen as a negative thing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5phRpcDyouA

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5phRpcDyouA

• (10 mins)

Based on your notes write a description of the theory in your own words as if answering the following question.

• Based on your notes write a description of the theory in your own words as if answering the following question.

• ‘Describe the deindividuation theory of aggression’

• Draw a cartoon picture that summarises the deindividuation theory.

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• Play