Lea, et. al suggest that visual anonymity (where group members cannot be seen) in particular, leads to an increased propensity to participate in group-based self-categorization, where individuals perceive both themselves and others "in terms of their similarity to the prototypical group member." The researchers argue that this observed effect can be due to anonymity reducing interpersonal information and leading group members to emphasize group traits and information, thus prompting depersonalization. These results appear to align with the Social Identity Model of Deindividuation Effects model (SIDE) which proposes that a reduction in personal identity and self-awareness can lead to a fixation on social or group identity.