Deindividuation and antinormative behavior: A meta-analysis
Postmes and Spears integrated 60 independent studies to test deindividuation theory as an explanation of collective and antinormative behaviour. Deindividuation research typically manipulates anonymity, self-awareness and group size. The pooled studies gave little support for deindividuated antinormative behaviour or for the existence of a deindividuated state. Behaviour was better explained by the norms of the specific situation than by general social norms, and groups and individuals conformed more to situation-specific norms when they were deindividuated. The authors concluded that this is inconsistent with deindividuation theory and supports a social identity model of deindividuation effects.
Postmes and Spears integrated 60 independent studies to test deindividuation theory as an explanation of collective and antinormative behaviour. Deindividuation research typically manipulates anonymity, self-awareness and group size. The pooled studies gave little support for deindividuated antinormative behaviour or for the existence of a deindividuated state. Behaviour was better explained by the norms of the specific situation than by general social norms, and groups and individuals conformed more to situation-specific norms when they were deindividuated. The authors concluded that this is inconsistent with deindividuation theory and supports a social identity model of deindividuation effects.
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Postmes, T., & Spears, R. (1998). Deindividuation and antinormative behavior: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 123(3), 238-259. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.123.3.238 https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.123.3.238