A state in which a person’s identity in a group or crowd, in part or in full, reduces their sense of personal responsibility for their actions. In this situation, people become more inclined to behave in ways that may be outside of normal moral or social norms, because there is little or no fear of persecution or personal evaluation. Anonymity plays a key role in explaining collective phenomena such as mob violence, vandalism, or even active participation in group celebrations and interactions, where people feel that their actions are hidden within the collective. Psychologically speaking, anonymity leads to reduced self-censorship and increased emotional engagement in collective behavior, enhancing the group’s ability to influence people and motivate them to act in ways they would not act in a separate, individual context.