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The online disinhibition effect
1Department of Psychology, Rider University, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648, USA. suler@mindspring.com
Summary
Online disinhibition causes people to act differently online than in person. Six factors, including anonymity and invisibility, contribute to this effect, influencing behavior and self-perception.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Internet Studies
- Social Behavior
Background:
- Individuals exhibit altered self-disclosure and behavioral intensity online compared to offline interactions.
- The digital environment presents unique conditions influencing human behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the contributing factors to the online disinhibition effect.
- To understand how online environments alter self-perception and behavior.
Main Methods:
- Exploration of six key factors: dissociative anonymity, invisibility, asynchronicity, solipsistic introjection, dissociative imagination, and minimization of authority.
- Consideration of the role of personality variables in moderating online disinhibition.
Main Results:
- The online disinhibition effect is a complex phenomenon resulting from the interplay of multiple factors.
- Disinhibition online is not necessarily a revelation of a "true self" but a shift in self-structure.
Conclusions:
- The online environment facilitates a distinct mode of self-expression and behavior.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for navigating online interactions and their psychological impact.