The DOI matches its Crossref record; 111 of the 112 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Deindividuation and antinormative behavior: a meta-analysis
Abstract
A meta-analytic integration reviews evidence for deindividuation theory as an explanation of collective and antinormative behavior. Deindividuation theories propose a subjective deindividuated state that causes transgression of general social norms. Deindividuation research classically manipulates anonymity, self-awareness, and group size. Results of 60 independent studies showed little support for (a) the occurrence of deindividuated (antinormative) behaviors or (b) the existence of a deindividuated state. Research results were explained mon adequately by situation-specific than by general social norms. Analyses indicated that groups and individuals conform more to situation-specific norms when they are "deindividuated." These findings are inconsistent with deindividuation theory but support a social identity model of deindividuation effects.
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“Greater anonymity is associated with disinhibition and aggressive behavior-potentially because anonymity reduces accountability and thereby licenses bad behavior [12,13].”
From Two social lives: how differences between online and offline interaction influence social outcomes (2020) · cites this paper as [13]
In the citing paper
“Greater anonymity is associated with disinhibition and aggressive behavior-potentially because anonymity reduces accountability and thereby licenses bad behavior [12,13].”
From Two social lives: how differences between online and offline interaction influence social outcomes (2020) · cites this paper as [13]
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Social Influence: Compliance and Conformity
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“In support of the predictions laid out by the SIDE model, a meta-analysis conducted by Postmes & Spears (1998) revealed that rather than engage in antinormative activities, individuals subjected to deindividuation procedures instead conformed their behaviors to local, situation-specific norms…”
MethodKowalski, R. M., Giumetti, G. W., Schroeder, A. N., & Lattanner, M. R. (2014) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/a0035618 · Cited by 3,266
“Research on deindividuation (Diener, 1980; Postmes & Spears, 1998) shows that people will say and do things anonymously that they would not say or do in face-to-face interactions.”
BackgroundEffect size guidelines for individual differences researchers
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BackgroundSelf-citationPrivacy and human behavior in the age of information
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Metadata
- Authors
- Postmes, T., & Spears, R.
- Venue
- Psychological Bulletin
- Published
- 1998-05
- Volume
- 123
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 238-259
- ISSN
- 0033-2909 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1455
- OpenAlex
- W2031296644
- Cited by
- 667
- References
- 112
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 39 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 45 · 2020: 45 · 2019: 38 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 25 · 2016: 35 · 2015: 35 · 2014: 37 · 2013: 32 · 2012: 25
- FWCI
- 37.57
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Bulletin (publishedVersion)
- University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychology of Social Influence
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
- Keywords
- deindividuation, social norms, anonymity, self-awareness, group size, social identity model, collective behavior, conformity
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