This brief powerpoint was created for a Social Psychology class for extra credit.

1. DEINDIVIDUATION
“ L O S T I N T H E C ROW D ”
A PHOTOGRAPH ANALYSIS OF A CONCEPT IN
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
By: Chantal Comeau

2. Social Psycholog y:
The Concept of Deindividuation
 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).

3. Social Psycholog y:
Deindividuation &Crowd Theor 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.

4. Social Psycholog y:
Deindividuation &Crowd Theor 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.

5. 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)

6. Deindividuation & Crowd Theor y:
The K u Klux Klan (KKK)
 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).

7. (KKK Torches, n.d.)

8. Deindividuation & Crowd Theor y:
The K u Klux Klan (KKK)
 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.

9. Conclusion
 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.

10. 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

11. 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