The effects of perceived anonymity and anonymity states on conformity and groupthink in online communities: A Wikipedia study

Abstract

Groupthink behavior is always a risk in online groups and group decision support systems (GDSS), especially when not all potential alternatives for problem resolution are considered. It becomes a reality when individuals simply conform to the majority opinion and hesitate to suggest their own solutions to a problem. Anonymity has long been established to have an effect on conformity, but no previous research has explored the effects of different anonymity states in relation to an individual's likelihood to conform. Through a survey of randomly chosen participants from the English-language Wikipedia community, I explored the effects of anonymity on the likelihood of conforming to group opinion. In addition, I differentiated between actual states of anonymity and individuals' perceptions of anonymity. His findings indicate that although people perceive anonymity differently depending on their anonymity state, different states of anonymity do not have a strong effect on the likelihood of conforming to group opinion. Based on this evidence, I make recommendations for software engineers who have a direct hand in the design of online community platforms.

Concept analysis: lack of anonymity

“…For example, communication in a non‐anonymous social media community may have greater civility than in a similar online community where anonymity is preserved (Diener , Baggio & Erdmann , Reader ). A lack of anonymity creates self‐awareness of behaviour, with recognition of being accountable and responsible for actions (Anonymous , Tsikerdekis ). As a result, individual behaviour is visible to others, thus allowing others to recognize the character and condition of the individual.…”

Anonymous Quorans are still Quorans, just anonymous

“…Conformity in a group situation appears to be at least minimally affected by perceived anonymity [35]. [17] attributed Uncivility and Impoliteness to anonymity.…”

A Study of Groupthink in Online Communities

“…Jenny Preece (2000) approached online communities from the administrator's viewpoint, emphasizing that developing them constitutes a practical activity and that a definition of an online communities is needed to guide the practice. According to Michail Tsikerdekis (2013), Groupthink behavior has a risk in group decision support systems (GDSS), and online groups; especially, it becomes well when individuals follow to the majority opinion and halt to suggest their own solutions for a problem.…”