Olivia is dressing in costume for senior day at her high school. She and her friends wear large masks to look like animals. Senior day is known for different pranks. Even though Olivia is normally shy and likes to be in the background, she actively participates in these pranks and enjoys this senior class bonding activity.

What best explains Olivia's outgoing behavior during senior day?

A. Demand characteristics
B. Deindividuation
C. Informational influence
D. Bystander effect
E. Groupthink

Olivia participates more due to deindividuation option (B), feeling less self-conscious and more anonymous within the group, leading to reduced accountability for individual actions.

Explanation:

The best explanation for Olivia's outgoing behavior during senior day, despite being normally shy, is B. Deindividuation. This concept is linked to situations where individuals may feel a sense of anonymity within a group, leading to reduced accountability and a diminished sense of self. This phenomenon can explain why Olivia actively participates in pranks and enjoys the senior class bonding activity, as she feels less inhibited and perhaps less concerned about personal shyness in the context of the group dynamic and the anonymity provided by wearing a mask.