Roles can reduce a person's sense of his or her individuality by focusing attention on the role and the expectations that accompany it. This focus on the role reduces the individual's awareness of the self as an independent individual who is personally responsible for an outcome. This psychological process is called _________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Deindividuation is the psychological process by which people lose their sense of individuality and become more immersed in a group or in a particular role they are playing. This can happen when people are in situations where they feel anonymous or when they are strongly identified with a particular role or group. In these situations, people may behave in ways that are more consistent with the group or role, even if these behaviors are unethical or immoral. Deindividuation can be an important factor in explaining group behavior and can help explain why people may engage in behaviors that they would not normally do as individuals.

Roles Can Reduce a Person's Sense of His or Her