deindividuation online and offline

In response to the suggestions made here, I would like to point out that the assumption that deindividuation is a meaningful psychological construct is not really supported by consistent research findings. Off-line research, according to a meta-analysis published in the May 1998 issue of Psychological Bulletin by Postmes and Spears, has not shown any of the proposed effects of 'deindividuation', such as decreased self-awareness (related to eval. apprehension), or increased disinhibition and anti-normative behavior. On-line research has been pretty inconsistent, too. Walther, Anderson&Park (1994, comm. research) showed that there really was no effect of 'disinhibition' in the literature (contrary to what many believe). Lea, O'Shea, Fung,&Spears (1992, in Social Contexts of CMC by M. Lea (ed.))arrived at the same conclusion, on the basis of a qualitative analysis. So: it may well be that there is increased "openness" online, but although it is easy to find studies which would seem to support this claim I doubt whether this assumption is correct. In my opinion it is not the most fruitful way to assume a priori that people are more honest and open online. Another approach may be to investigate when this is the case, and more precisely to look for context in which technology promotes openness and intimacy, and cases in which it does not. Ultimately it is my belief that such an approach will enhance our understanding of on-line behavior more than to point at determinist effects of technology.

Replies:

deindividuation/dissociation, by John, 11/6/98

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