Deindividuation Essay, Research Paper
Deindividuation
Deindividuation is when someone acts out aggressively in a crowd or group in which they would not do so if they were alone. For some reason people do this even though if they were alone they would not because they would think it would be wrong. The reason people do this is because there are enough people that it is unlikely that they will be identified.
I have experienced this Deindividuation in a Gonzaga Rugby game. When one gets tackled in a rugby game a teammate forms what is called a bridge. This is where the ball is protected in order for another teammate to pick up the ball and continue to advance up the field to gain a touch (basically a touch down). I experienced this just after a bridge, where there was a huge pile of rugbiers. I raked a guy who was at least twice my size because I thought that he would not know it was I. Raking is when you take the bottom of your cleat and rake it across someone s back. The cleats dig into their skin and either cut them or give them abrasions. The guy s back was to me and I didn t think twice about doing it. After thinking about it, it seems rather childish. It is like when I was a kid and hit my sister and ran from her because if I didn t she would torture me by playing type writer on my chest.
The experience did not feel wrong, in fact it was invigorating. I was excited that I was hurting someone and I knew that I wasn t going to get in trouble or be retaliated against. The truth is the guy saw who it was and did retaliate. He raked me later in the game and I had two cuts on my back for about a month. In a sense I got what I deserved, and this Deindividuation is not the best idea or concept in the world.
I the moment that I raked him I didn t even hesitate. I knew that it was wrong but I didn t really care. My adrenaline was pumping and I got so excited, and felt like I needed to take my aggression out on the other team.
I think that when Deindividuation occurs people don t think about will I get in trouble as much as if they were alone. If one were alone they are more likely not to act out. I know that in my experience I barely thought of the consequences and if given the time to I still don t think I would have.
In conclusion I have experienced deindiviuation but it proved not to be a great choice to make. I think as people mature they tend to experience this less and less. Of course more violent people would most likely be different than the majority.