To cause someone to lose their sense of individual identity, usually through group dynamics or anonymity.
From 'de-' (reversal) plus 'individuate', from Latin 'individuus'. This psychological term was coined to describe how group membership can erase individual self-awareness and moral restraint.
Online anonymity can deindividuate people—without faces or real names, people say things they'd never say in public, which is why moderators worry about troll behavior in comments sections.
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