Which term refers to "The psychological phenomenon in which people are more likely to commit unethical acts when they feel their actions are not being observed"?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer
Deindividuation
Explanation
Deindividuation occurs when people lose self-awareness and accountability, typically due to crowd size or anonymity. When individuals feel they are not being personally observed or identified, their social inhibitions lower significantly. This loss of personal identity makes them far more likely to engage in impulsive, anti-social, or unethical behaviors that they would avoid if they were alone.
Key Points
Word: Deindividuation
Meaning: The loss of individual identity, self-restraint, and personal accountability in a group.
Contextual Clue: "Actions are not being observed" means anonymity, which is the driving force behind deindividuation.