While people from around the country scramble for costumes in preparation for Madison's Halloween weekend, some at UW-Madison say changing one's appearance and being in crowds alters behavior.
\One of the things that is true about dressing up in costume is that we feel more anonymous,"" said David Lacocque, psychologist and UW-Madison associate psychology lecturer.
According to Jane Piliavin, UW-Madison professor of sociology, this feeling of anonymity is called deindividuation and can lead to people deviating from social norms.
""There are some people in psychology and sociology who think if you're not identifiable ... it sort of loosens you up in terms of not having to follow the rules that you would normally follow,"" she said.
Piliavan and Lacocque said such behavioral changes have both positive and negative results. For example, Piliavin said shy people often feel more comfortable in social situations and are more outgoing when they alter their appearance. However, Lacocque noted some exhibit antisocial behavior they would not otherwise exhibit.
Lacocque added many are eager to take on a new identity.
""[People who dress up are] playing a role. Maybe it's a wished-for role that they can't play when they're not dressed up,"" Lacocque said.
However, UW-Madison sophomore Steve Knurr, who spent time in costume on State Street during Halloween weekend last year said he thinks costumes do not induce psychological effects.
""I didn't feel like it gave me any weird kind of anonymity where I could do whatever I wanted,"" he said.
According to experts, in addition to costumes, typical Halloween crowds alter people's behavior, as well. Piliavin said people are more likely to discount their personalities to conform to actions of crowds.
""[Within crowds] there's sort of ... contagion effects,"" she said. ""This is when you tend to get behavior that doesn't follow social rules.""
Lacocque said he thinks the effects of Halloween crowds are obvious, citing violence and destruction of State Street businesses as characteristic of Halloween weekend but atypical of any other weekend.
However, Lacocque said he thinks the costumes and crowds can provide a positive opportunity for change.
""In the best spirit of Halloween it's a time when people get to do things in a socially sanctioned way-to dress up, to act in ways that are out of the norm,"" he said.
-Katrina Peterson contributed to this report
