Deviance in the dark

Marital satisfaction and break-ups differ across on-line and off-line meeting venues

“…Experiments in which strangers are randomly assigned to interact using computer-mediated communications versus face-toface communications show that the more anonymous on-line meetings produce greater self-disclosure and liking as long as the interaction is not under strong time constraints (3)(4)(5)(6). Consistent with these experimental studies, research of on-line users suggests that authentic on-line self-disclosures are associated with more enduring face-to-face friendships (5).…”

In the spotlight: Brightness increases self-awareness and reflective self-regulation

“…Several studies using situational variations in actual lighting confirmed that bright lighting reduces disinhibition which can be seen as a sign of a controlled behavior regulation (Gergen et al, 1973;Page & Moss, 1976;Zhong et al, 2010). For example, in a study by Gergen et al (1973), participants were more likely to touch and hug an anonymous stranger when sitting in dark than in a well-lit room. Moreover, dim lighting improves creativity which profits from unusual, non-conforming ways of thinking .…”

“…From the empirical perspective, several studies have investigated how lighting conditions and other variations of light and darkness change people's feeling of being observed (perceived anonymity) and their self-awareness. First, darkness has been used in several studies to create anonymity (Gergen, Gergen, & Barton, 1973;Page & Moss, 1976;Zhong, Bohns, & Gino, 2010; for an overview see also Kasof, 2002). For example, in a study by Zhong et al (2010), darkness induced by wearing sunglasses increased participants' subjective feelings of anonymity.…”

“…For example, in a study by Zhong et al (2010), darkness induced by wearing sunglasses increased participants' subjective feelings of anonymity. Some authors also assumed that darkness induces a state of deindividuation (Gergen et al, 1973;Johnson & Downing, 1979) which represents a state of a reduced awareness of the own identity and reduced accountability. Being anonymous or under deindividuating circumstances, people worry less about their impression on others.…”

A conceptual framework of anonymity in Group Support Systems

“…The deindividuation research has shown that when group members are anonymous, they will do things that they would not do alone (Mann 1981;Zimbardo 1970). Deindividuated behavior can range from uninhibited expression (Gergen, Gergen, and Baton 1973) to destructive social behavior (Diener 1979). Several GSS studies have found that groups in more anonymous configurations were more critical and perceived themselves as such (Connolly, Jessup, and Valacich 1990;Jessup and Tansik 1991;Valacich et al 1992).…”