ABSTRACT
De-individuation is a state that people are said to be in when they behave in impulsive antisocial ways, as a result of being immersed in the group. It is characterized by the presence of others, anonymity and a diffusion of responsibility. Zimbardo’s classic study showed that ‘de-individuated’ students were twice as aggressive as individuated ones. Many studies since, including cross-cultural research, have produced similar results.
