Final answer:
The increased aggression exhibited by women wearing Ku Klux Klan–style hoods at New York University is attributed to the social psychological principles of deindividuation and the influence of group identity on behavior.
Explanation:
The finding that New York University women dressed in Ku Klux Klan–style hoods demonstrated significantly more aggression can be best explained through social psychology, particularly the concepts of deindividuation and the power of group identity. When individuals are part of a group, especially one with a uniform like the KKK's garb, they may feel a sense of anonymity and a diffusion of personal responsibility, leading to behaviors they might not engage in as individuals. Historical accounts have noted the impact of the KKK, and its affiliations as seen in its female auxiliary, the WKKK, which entwined ideologies with social and political activism, suggesting a sense of belonging and empowerment within these group settings. Studies like those by Cohen et al. on aggressive behavior also show that cultural backgrounds and group norms can influence emotional responses and behaviors such as aggression.