<p>This is way outside of my area, but reducing identity expression definitely can increase group conformity. This is the basic idea underlying e.g. school uniforms and cultural restrictions in totalitarian regimes. It might be important to keep in mind that identity expression could promote many positive outcomes (greater creativity, more flexible approaches to problem solving, etc) in addition to increased conflict.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-31T18:25:06.580Z
2014-07-31T18:25:06.580Z
Tim
<p>I've learned that the pilots of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Arrows" rel="nofollow">Red Arrows</a> never refer to each other by name but by number in the briefing room in order to avoid conflict.
Is there a name for this trick? Do any studies say this kind of psychological trick leads to better results? Are there any applications in other fields?</p>

<social-psychology><emotion><io-psychology><military-psychology>
Does referring to each other by number in group meetings lead to better results?
naoski
# Does referring to each other by number in group meetings lead to better results?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-07-29)

I've learned that the pilots of the [Red Arrows](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Arrows) never refer to each other by name but by number in the briefing room in order to avoid conflict.
Is there a name for this trick? Do any studies say this kind of psychological trick leads to better results? Are there any applications in other fields?

**Tags:** social-psychology, emotion, io-psychology, military-psychology


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-07-31. Score: 1

This is way outside of my area, but reducing identity expression definitely can increase group conformity. This is the basic idea underlying e.g. school uniforms and cultural restrictions in totalitarian regimes. It might be important to keep in mind that identity expression could promote many positive outcomes (greater creativity, more flexible approaches to problem solving, etc) in addition to increased conflict.


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