DEINDIVIDUATION“ L O S T I N T H E C R OW D ”

A PHOTOGRAPH ANALYSIS OF A CONCEPT IN

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

By: Chantal Comeau

S o c i a l P s yc h o l og y :

T h e C o n c e p t o f D e i n d iv i d u a t i o n

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).

S o c i a l P s yc h o l og y :

D e i n d iv i d u a t i o n & C r owd T h e o r y

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.

S o c i a l P s yc h o l og y :

D e i n d iv i d u a t i o n & C r owd T h e o r y

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.

The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) was

formed in 1866 in Tennessee as a

response to the Republican Parties

Policies 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)

D e i n d iv i d u a t i o n & C r owd T h e o r y :

T h e K u K l u x K l a n ( K K K )

The 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).

(KKK Torches, n.d.)

D e i n d iv i d u a t i o n & C r owd T h e o r y :

T h e K u K l u x K l a n ( K K K )

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.

C o n c l u s i o n

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.

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

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