ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Social identity model of deindividuation effects

Imagine you are at a big party where no one knows anyone else. You might feel a little scared or unsure because you don't know anyone there. However, once you find a group of people who are similar to you, like maybe they're all wearing the same football team jersey as you, you might feel more comfortable and confident. You are now part of a "group" that you identify with.

The social identity model of deindividuation effects is a theory that explains how being part of a group can sometimes make people act differently than they would if they were by themselves. It's like putting on a mask, because being part of a group can make people feel anonymous and less responsible for their actions.

For example, if you were at that big party and you were wearing your football team jersey, you might feel more like a part of a group than an individual. If someone in your group starts doing something that you wouldn't normally do, like maybe throw a drink on someone, you might feel more likely to join in because you feel like you're part of the group and not responsible for your own actions. You might also feel like you're protected by the group, so you don't have to worry about getting in trouble.

This can happen in lots of different situations, like protests or riots. People might do things they wouldn't normally do, like vandalizing property, because they feel like they're part of a larger group and that their actions don't really matter. They might also feel like they're anonymous in a big crowd, so they won't get caught.

Overall, being part of a group can have a big effect on how people act, and this can be explained by the social identity model of deindividuation effects. When people identify with a group, they might feel less like an individual and more like part of a collective, which can affect their behavior.