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Bystander theory strengths and limitations
Bystander theory strengths and limitations
Bystander theory strengths and limitations
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The following four empirical studies focus on the topic of bystander intervention. Each study focused on various aspects of how bystander intervention related to a particular situation. Fischer & Greitemeyer (2013) studied the how the positive bystander effect was impacted in a field study. There had been a substantial amount of laboratory studies done on the subject, and field studies were lacking. They observed individuals at a subway station in a Germanic city. This field experiment was used to find the interaction of a passive bystander in a set situation of bike theft with no victim on site. The major variables studied included the dependent variable of the intervention of the individuals and the independent variable of presumed negative …show more content…
outcomes. Fischer & Greitemeyer (2013) used this manipulation of how threatening the perpetrator’s appearance was. Important findings of this study were based on the Logit analysis and the chi-square tests. Fischer & Greitemeyer (2013) used the statistical technique of Logit analysis to conclude that there was a crucial three-way interaction found in this study. The three components of this interaction included the presumed negative ramifications, the pressure that was brought on by the bystanders, and the divided response of helping. The chi-square tests which were conducted apart from each other included the two components of the bystander and non-bystander conditions. There had been no distinction between the number of situations which included helping and the condition of the situation being dangerous or not. This study resulted in a greater backing of the positive bystander effect. The extraneous bystanders increased the condition of helping when the individual expected a higher event of negative ramifications. It was also found that when a helper expected flat negative ramifications, there would be a lower positive affect. The interaction between people is a significant component of bystander intervention. In the previous study, the interaction of a passive bystander in a situation with no victim on site helped determine how a participant would react in a particular situation. More in depth, the next study looks at how relationships between specific parties are affected by a situation, and how this may lead to a possible intervention. A study concerning the impact of relationships in sexual violence situations was conducted to aid in answering how the influence of awareness and opinion of the situation had an overall affect on how the relationship tied into bystander intervention (Bennett & Baynard, 2016). The rationale for this study was that sexual violence is a prevalent issue in many communities, yet lacking extensive research on the relationship roles in situations such as these, in terms of bystander intervention. Undergraduates were used as participants in the study, and vignettes were randomly assigned by gender. The vignettes differed in severity as well as a relationship measure to either a victim or perpetrator. In each vignette, the victim had been female with a male perpetrator, and measures were added to create a sense of realism to the situation displayed, as a tactic to create a sufficient test. A manipulation check was also utilized to test the realism of the situations provided, for both the relationship measure and the severity of the situation. After reading the situation displayed in the given vignette, each participant filled out questionnaires regarding bystander perceptions in terms of their situation. The questionnaires led to Bennett & Baynard (2016) concluding that the relationship measures had a diverse impact on bystander perceptions. Additionally, the severity of the situation resulted in a stronger issue if higher, rather than a less severe situation. Important factors of the study included the independent variables of the relationship with the victim, rather it is an intimate relationship or a stranger, or the same measure in a relationship with the perpetrator. The rate of the severity of the situation was also measured as an independent variable. In terms of a dependent variable, bystander perception of a given situation was measured. The study resulted in a conclusion that an intimate relationship a victim caused a stronger effect than with a stranger. A more intimate relationship with the perpetrator led the participant gaining the perception of a more safe environment, directing a more solid outcome of intervention. In terms of severity of a situation, if there was lower severity, the participant was more likely to intervene, observing a safer outcome. Bennett & Baynard (2016) explained that the relationship measures and severity given in the vignettes had the results for the participants because of the perception of safety the situation led to.
This research implied that future researchers on this subject ought to focus on the measures of helping, in terms of relationships. In addition, Bennett & Baynard (2016) indicated the importance of future analysis how the severity of a situation will affect the possible intervention. Relationships are an important focus in the subject of bystander intervention, as interactions with others will influence the decision making of a person in terms of a decision to intervene, in part. The severity of a situation is related to this decision-making, and may lead to a person who will potentially intervene in forming a conclusion of if the event if an emergency. Additionally, both the previous and following studies involve undergraduate students as participants. This is helpful, as an undergraduate student is generally eager to express an honest opinion, which may lead to a more valid …show more content…
study. Shotland & Huston (1976) conducted a study at a college consisting of two parts, focusing on two aspects of bystander intervention. The participants consisted of students enrolled in a social psychology course. The first part of the study took place during the Winter Term, with the purpose of how events were associated with emergencies. The second part occurred during the Spring Term and had the purpose of rating the events identified by the measure of emergency seen. This study was conducted due to the lack of information on which factors are applied by bystanders to characterize a situation as an emergency. In the first part, the participants listed events which they deemed an emergency. ‘Emergency’ was not defined for the participants, in order to help determine a subjective definition of the term. In the second part of the study, participants were given descriptions of situations, which they rated on a scale, in terms of defining the situation as an emergency. The first part of the study led to the results of Shotland & Huston classifying the events into categories. This aided them in gaining a more solid understanding of the participants’ view of situations as emergencies. This insight created a broader understanding of how people in societies may view situations as potential emergencies. The second part led to the finding that the events given to the participants were overall seen similarly. Therefore, participants gave similar answers on their scales, in terms of if they saw a situation as an emergency. In terms of future research on this subject, this study suggested that the perception of how urgent a situation is seen can have a great effect on the intervention of a bystander. Therefore, identification of whether a situation is seen as an emergency or not is a crucial subject of research such as this. Identification of an emergency creates an easier method for researchers to comprehend how people regard situations, in terms of bystander intervention. In the following study- which also employs undergraduate students as participants, the manner in which rape-myth notion is a part of bystander intervention is examined. A study aimed at first-year college students beginning in the Fall semester used a previous rape-myth poster campaign to analyze the power of exposure of bystander-themed materials in living spaces (Katz, Olin, Herman, & DuBois, 2013).
The intention of the experiment was to assess the impact of the poster campaign for new college students. The posters had hung in two residence halls for six weeks, with one control hall. Vital factors to this study included a dependent variable of how readily a participant would help another in a hazardous situation, and the fact that the control variables between the three halls included sexual assault education, rape-myth belief, age, or gender. Preceding the six-week opportunity for the posters to have impacted the students, an opportunity to fill out a survey on the influence it had made, giving the participants a possible compensation. In addition to the scale which tested the readiness of the participants to help others in hazardous situations, two other measures were used to evaluate related subjects to the poster campaign. Katz et al. (2013) used another scale, which rated the participants’ beliefs on the subject of sexual assault. A photo of the poster was used to expose the participants’ perceptions of the poster campaign, and the impact it had made on how they would intervene in a possible event in the future, as a
bystander. The most crucial finding of Katz et al. (2013) was that exposure to the bystander-themed material had been associated with a more significant readiness to help others, and a more significant amount of students reported this, due to this exposure. Katz et al. (2013) concluded an explicit effect of the participants’ exposure to the poster campaign of bystander-themed material of a readiness to aid others in hazardous situations. As this is the initial independent study of this campaign, it is implied that the students exposed to the poster campaign’s readiness to aid others may have an impact in terms of bystander intervention. Concerning future research, the participants’ willingness caused by the campaign could provide an opportunity to promote the mending of issues such as sexual assault on college campuses. Each study gave insight into how bystander intervention related to different situations. The studies largely contributed to an overall greater understanding of bystander intervention. The severity of a situation as well as how emergent it may seem led to a larger comprehension of how people view a situation, which may bring them to intervene. Another conclusion brought out from the studies is that the connection to a particular person in an event will have a strong effect on if an intervention will occur. Lastly, the realism of each of the situations brought out by the studies had a great effect on how the participants reacted to the study, therefore, they were more honest in their form of answering whatever followed the procedure. This led to more accurate results. Overall, the studies truly helped the topic of bystander intervention.
The bystander effect refers to the tendency for an observer of an emergency to withhold aid if the:
Latane and Darley (1968) investigated the phenomenon known as the bystander effect and staged an emergency situation where smoke was pumped into the room participants was in. Results showed that 75% of participants who were alone reported the smoke, whereas only 38% of participants working in groups of three reported (Latane & Darley, 1968). Their findings provide evidence for the negative consequence of the diffusion of responsibility. In line with the social influence principle, bystanders depend on reactions of others to perceive a situation as an emergency and are subsequently less likely to help. Latane and Darley’s findings were also supported in recent research: Garcia and colleagues (2002) found that even priming a social context by asking participants to imagine themselves in a group could decrease helping behaviour. It can be contended that these findings are examples of social proof where individuals believe actions of the group is correct for the situation, or examples of pluralistic ignorance where individuals outwardly conform because they incorrectly assumed that a group had accepted the norm (Baumeister & Bushman,
...though the researchers weren’t looking for it, he results represent ideas that can help the bystander effect in a situation. Smaller numbers increase the percentage of realization when it comes down to an emergency. The victim, if cohesive, actually plays a big role in causing the bystander effect as well. When a victim is unable to verbally communicate with bystanders, it lessens the chance of help. If a victim is capable of communicating, the help given could be more efficient. This is because it can help break the diffusion of responsibility. A victim looking a bystander directly in the eyes can even spark a quicker reaction in them. These are all ideas that psychologists still study today, and many even consider learning about this phenomenon a requirement.
Imagine that you were walking down a crowded hallway and you stumble upon a person passed out in the middle of the hall. You are not the only one who sees this person but you notice no one else is helping. Would you help the person or keep walking? Your answer is probably “of course I would help the person, it’s the human thing to do”. If your answer closely relates to the given one you are mostly likely incorrect. According to studies done by both amateur and professional psychologist you are more likely to keep walking than help that fallen person. This is something known as the Bystander Effect. The bystander effect is a phenomenon where no help is offered to a victim due to the presence of others and
“I felt his hands start to move down towards my shorts as if he was trying to unbutton them or pull them off. I was still crying at this point and felt so scared that I couldn’t move” (Henneberger, 2012). These are words written by a college freshman after she had been raped, but they are true for many others as well. According to the Rape Crisis Center of Medina and Summit Counties, “every two minutes someone in the US is sexually assaulted” (Get the Facts). “Girls ages 16-19 are four times more likely than the than the general population to be victims of sexual assault” (Get the Facts). These women may be described as slut, cheap, or ready for action, rather than victim, sufferer, or survivor. Rape myths encourage these demeaning terms for women and conceal the reality of rape culture. I will describe the pervasiveness of sexual assault on college campuses as well as the systems and procedures in place to address it. Power plays a role in this issue, including the powerful men on campus such as athletes and fraternity members as well as the administrators in power who regulate the punishments and actions that are taken against the perpetrators. The influence of those in power often goes overlooked in our society because it has become so intertwined with our culture.
Marcus, R.F., & Jenny, B. (1977). A Naturalistic Study of the Reciprocity in the Helping
...rated. Since bystander effect is a complicated problem related to various fields such as psychology, sociology, and ethics, integrated efforts from multilateral aspects are required. While the bystander effect still exists in the society, there is always a certainty for another tragedy of Catherine Kitty Genovese to happen. Without individual and social effort to effectively eradicate the bystander effect, everyone, including you, may fall to be the next victim.
While other behaviors aimed at helping others, less often studied, are compared to helping people in distress.
A survey from the Association of American Universities of 150,000 students found that more than one in four women experience sexual assault during their four years in college. Over the four year college period, 27.2% of female students are victims of unwanted sexual contact that ranges from touching to rape (6). Sexual assault is far too common and it is an epidemic that faces many students in college. Many students suffer from the consequences of sexual assault, which is a result of many social and cultural deficiencies, but it can be fixed through a multifaceted approach. The problem of sexual assault can be fixed through the education of the community, a positive and helpful school environment, and classes focused on prevention.
Within the last few decades, sexual violence has come “to light” as a crime that has destructive implications that drag on for years (Grotpeter, Menard, Gianola, &O’Neal, 2008). With the help of the media, law enforcement and new laws regarding sexual offenders, people are more aware of the crime. The awareness is of the risks that make people more likely to become a victim. However, awareness should also shed light on the predictive factors as to why people commit sexual assaults in the first place. The National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) reported that there is no single type of person that is more likely to commit a sexual offense. Regardless of sex, gender, socioeconomic status, etc., there is no way to determine if any individual will become a sexual offender based on this information alone (NCJRS, n.d.). So, what makes someone more likely to commit a sexual offense on another human being? This question is quite difficult to really narrow down. However, there are certain factors that need to be explored that can provide a better idea of what really goes through the mind of a sexual offender before the crime even takes place. Once a better understanding of predictive factors of sexual offenders is offered, then preventative measures can begin. In order to fully examine potential factors that can lead to a sexual assault, scientific studies that have been conducted over the subject should be reviewed to understand the question being raised.
One of the strengths is providing a new insight into bystander effect. The study argued that researchers have previously neglected the potential benefit of bystanders and thus, the study provided a new horizon by proving reversed bystander effect through experiment. This allows us to be aware of the fact that someone may be providing help merely due to impression management. This arouses a doubt on whether the one who provides help is genuinely concerned about the needs of the victims, or one is just motivated by upholding his/her reputation when surrounded by a crowd. Besides, carrying out a manipulation check right after this experiment is beneficial to this study as well....
On March 13, 1964 a girl by the name of Catherine Susan Genovese “Kitty” was being stabbed to death outside her apartment. Many of her neighbors heard her cry for help but no one took action in view of the fact that they didn’t want to put themselves in danger. Detectives investigated the death of Genovese and discovered that no fewer than 38 of her neighbors had witnessed at least one of her killer’s three attacks but had neither come to her aid nor called the police. How could this happen? The people who were stunned by watching Mrs. Genovese being stabbed to death instead of taking action is the stimulus for research in the psychological phenomenon known as the “Bystander Effect.”
Nevertheless, sexual assaults are a serious college concern. According to studies reviewed in the ACHA Campus Violence White Paper, approximately 15-20% of female college students report being the victim of forced intercourse (rape) and approximately 5-15% of college men admit forcing intercourse on a partner (Carr, 2005) . Most sexual assaults involved persons who knew each other. Less than one-quarter of rape/sexual assaults were committed by strangers. Furthermore, most of the sexual assaults involved use of alcohol or other
As an employee at Shady Grove State School in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, one is expected to be trained on many different things ranging from verbal intervention to nonviolent crisis prevention. Shady Grove is one of the many MSSD (Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled) schools throughout the state. Students at any MSSD school can have very violent behaviors at times which is why it is important to be trained on verbal intervention. Students at Shady Grove are no exception. They can become easily frustrated and defensive which could potentially lead to someone being injured. Our goal at Shady Grove is to prevent bodily harm from coming to any individual
Stein, David (2013). 27. DOD’s insulting ‘Bystander Intervention Tips”. Website link: http://www.bizpacreview.com/2013/03/21/exclusive-parody-of-dods-insultin-bystander-intervention-tips-56928. Last accessed 17 Dec 2013.