Deindividuation

Deindividuation is the idea that crowds of people temporarily lose identity and sense of self become more responsive to croup norms. This is often fostered by anonymity and tends to weaken ones sense of self restraint.

This may be a positive force as seen in the Where's Matt videos. In them, it becomes apparent that the theory of deindividuation goes far beyond Western society reaching into all socioeconomic classes and ethnic groups and beyond language barriers.

I'm a less positive light this same idea may be the spark that spawns riots and lynching. The negative manifestation can be seen on the riots that took place during the Arab spring.


The same thing is seen in Beauty and the Beast (the Disney version) when Gaston is attempting to rile up a mob to go after Beast.

 In the lyrics, it's possible to follow the process of deindividuation as Gaston as ringleader plays on fears to enough of an extent that they cease to be individuals and become a mob.

Belle:
He's no monster, Gaston. You are!
Gaston:
She's as crazy as the old man.
She says this creature is her friend.
Well, I've hunted wild beasts and I've seen what they can do.
The Beast will make off with your children.
Crowd:
(gasp)
Gaston:
He'll come after them in the night.
Belle:
He will never!
Gaston:
Forget the old man, I say we kill the Beast!
Man 1:
We're not safe until he's dead
Man 2:
He'll come stalking us at night
Woman:
Set to sacrifice our children to his monstrous appetite
Man 3:
He'll wreak havoc on our village if we let him wander free

Gaston:
So it's time to take some action, boys
It's time to follow me
Through the mist, through the woods
Through the darkness and the shadows
It's a nightmare but it's one exciting ride
Say a prayer, then we're there
At the drawbridge of a castle
And there's something truly terrible inside
It's a beast! He's got fangs
Razor sharp ones!
Massive paws, killer claws for the feast
Hear him roar! See him foam!
But we're not coming home 'til he's dead--
Good and dead!
Kill the Beast!

Gaston:
We'll rid the village of this Beast.
Who's with me?
Mob:
I am! I am! I am!
Mob:
Light your torch! Mount your horse!
Gaston:
Screw your courage to the sticking place!
Mob:
We're counting on Gaston to lead the way!

Gaston is able to use persuasion to convince the individual members that they must act,m but it takes a specific concentration of committed individuals to tip the gathering from concerned villagers into an actual mob. 

In this example the effect of self fulfilling prophesy can be seen. The villagers believe something specific about the Beast and act in such a way as to make it most likely to be proven true. When attempting to defuse these sorts of situation sometimes the solution can be as simple as reminding the Participants of their individuality.