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13
Oct 21

What Would You Do?

What would you do if you saw someone get bullied or hurt in front of you? The bystander “ states that people are less likely to help in an emergency when other bystanders are present” (Gruman, 289). There are many reasons why a person might not help in a situation and might consider the bystander effect instead. Some reasons are because the person doesn’t want all the pressure on him or herself, as well as not having any relationship with the person. On the other hand, there are positive aspects to ignoring the bystander effect like not having a guilty feeling and feeling good about yourself. Considering a close person to you is in a difficult incident, how would you want others to react? 

What if someone got into a fight right in front of your eyes would you go to help or would you act like you didn’t see it and move on? Well, there are many reasons why someone might not help if there was a situation happening in front of him or her. One reason someone might ignore the situation is because they do not want the pressure and attention to fall onto them. For example, if someone gets into a minor car accident then they might not help because they see other people around the victim. They would also say something like “why would I help, there are other people here.” They don’t want the pressure of having to tell the police what happened as well as making sure the person in the car is safe and not injured. Another reason why someone might not help is because of the relationship between the bystander and the victim. They might not be related to that person and feel the need to stay away from the situation and not get involved. There are many dangers within the bystander effect that we do not realize. One danger is that if you witness a crime or accident of death, and not speak about being a witness about what happened, that can result in you going to jail for two years. You can become guilty of not stating what you have seen in the accident. If I were in a difficult situation like this I don’t know what I would do, but I would most likely call the police or someone nearby that would be able to help in the situation. 

Although many won’t help in a situation and rather stay within the bystander effect, what are some ways that can be solved. What if you actually take action, how can that help? If a person decides not to be a bystander and help in the situation instead, then that would give the person more confidence. How can we drop the bystander effect? One way is to take action when a situation happens. For example, if a person is in an accident then stepping in the situation would help the person survive. First you would check if the scene is safe to go near, then make sure the people in the car are safe, and finally call for help from others. This situation would help a person feel good about themselves afterwards in which the idea of saving someone’s life is a big deal. Another reason why someone should step in is to not have a guilty feeling. If something bad happened to a person while you were watching that would make you feel guilty and think to yourself “if I helped him or her would that have changed anything?” That is one major reason to help save someone and ignore the bystander effect. Another reason why to ignore the bystander effect is, what if the person in the accident is a relative to you, would you want people to ignore the situation and act like they don’t see it? 

The bystander effect relates to the “Diffusion of responsibility (Darley & Latane, 1968) [that] reflect the notion that as the number of people present in a situation increases, each individual feels less compelled or responsible to help” (Gordon, 843). The diffusion of responsibility connects to the bystander effect because the more people there are in the situation, the less the responsibility is on a specific person. We assume that if there are a lot of people in the situation, then they are helping out in the situation. We can make a person have more responsibility by decreasing the group number and increasing accountability. This way the situation can be helped instead of just being looked at. 

The bystander effect is a social phenomenon in which a person doesn’t offer any help to a situation when others are present. Individuals might use the bystander effect because of the fear of being overwhelmed as well as believing that they don’t have any relationship with the situation and there is no need to help. Others that might ignore the bystander effect would help a person feel good about themselves and not have an after feeling of being guilty. The diffusion of responsibility relates to the bystander effect in which the help is assumed to not be needed with the increased number of people around. This can be solved through the same way as the bystander effect. What would you do if an incident happened in front of you, would you help immediately or would you stay as a bystander? 

References:

Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (2017). Applied social psychology: Understanding and addressing social and practical problems. SAGE.  

Moskowitz, G. (n.d.). Crowded minds: The implicit bystander effect. Retrieved October 13, 2021, from https://www.academia.edu/11870091/Crowded_Minds_The_Implicit_Bystander_Effect?from=cover_page 

 

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20
Feb 20

Feminism

Feminism

WHY PSYCHOLOGY SUGGESTS THAT THERE MAY NOT BE EMPOWERMENT AND STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

Written By: Judy Laut

    In 2020, feminism, “the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities” (Merriam-Webster, n.d.) is a highly debated and controversial topic. As controversial as feminism may be, the support and fight for equality is well-founded. From politics to social situations to employment and compensation, it seems as if in modern society sexism is still alive and well.

     “In-group favoritism is a central aspect of human behavior. People often help members of their own group more than members of other groups.” (Fu, 2012) The concept of in-group favoritism leads one to believe that women would be more likely to support, encourage, and defend one another especially against men and sexism. But how true is this? Do women feel more empowered to confront sexism when other women are present? According to “A recent series of experiments by Janet Swim and Lauri Hyers” (Gruman, 2016) the answer is no.

    “Sexism refers to any bias against an individual or a group of individuals based on the individual’s or group member’s sex.” (Gruman, 2016) With sexism as prevalent as it is and all of the controversy surrounding it and the reactive feminist movements, why is it that woman are less likely to confront sexism when other women are present?

The answer lies within the concept that is termed the “diffusion of responsibility (i.e., the diminished sense of responsibility a person feels when he or she believes that others would or should intervene)” (Gruman, 2016)

In the series of experiments conducted by Swim and Hayers an analyzation of women’s public responses to sexist remarks reported “…that only 16% [of women] directly confronted the men with verbal responses…” (Gruman, 2016) “Interestingly, when the participant was the only woman among three male confederates, she was more likely to respond to the initial sexist remark than when other women were present.” (Gruman, 2016)

It’s both amazing and disheartening that according to the experiment more women are willing to confront sexism when they find themself the only woman in an uncomfortable situation. As women, we need to feel empowered when surrounded by one another. We can no longer justify our silence by passing on the responsibility to someone else. We need to support, encourage, and defend one another. Too many women have fought and died for our equality for us to remain silent now.

Miller, J. Howard. Poster. “We Can Do It!” or Rosie, the Riveter. 1942.

References

Fu, F., Tarnita, C., Christakis, N. et al. Evolution of in-group favoritism. Sci Rep 2, 460 (2012). Retrieved February 19, 2020, from  https://doi.org/10.1038/srep00460

Gruman, J. A., Schneider, F. W., & Coutts, L. M. (Eds.). (2016). Applied social psychology : Understanding and addressing social and practical problems. Retrieved February 19, 2020, from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Feminism. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved February 19, 2020, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feminism

Miller, J. Howard. Rosie, the Riveter. 1942. Retrieved February 19, 2020, from https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_538122

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27
Mar 19

Bystander Effect at PSU Frat Emergency

During this week’s assigned readings in Applied Social Psychology, Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems, by Schneider, Gruman, and Coutts, we learned about the bystander effect. The bystander effect is defined as a phenomenon that occurs when multiple witnesses of an emergency fail to get involved (Schneider, Gruman, & Coutts). There are three triggers related to the bystander effect: Audience inhibition, social influence, and diffusion of responsibility (Latane & Nida, 1981).

  • Audience inhibition: A bystander may choose not to intervene in an emergency because they are afraid of embarrassing themselves in front of other people (Latane & Nida, 1981).
  • Social influence: When bystanders do not know how to act in an emergency situation, they will look to other bystanders for cues on how to act in the ambiguous situation. Unfortunately, in an ambiguous situation, most of the bystanders will not know how to act and everyone will be looking for cues from each other. This results in none of the bystanders getting involved (Latane & Nida, 1981).
  • Diffusion of responsibility: Bystanders believe they do not need to help in an emergency because someone else will (Latane & Nida, 1981).

Since I have learned about the bystander effect, I have been thinking of tragedies that could have been prevented if proper help was initiated. One tragedy that sticks out to me is the incident that occurred on February 2, 2017 at The Pennsylvania State University. Unfortunately, it is possible that the bystander effect influenced events that led up to the death of Tim Piazza.

FULL DISCLOSURE: THIS ANALYSIS IS BASED OFF OF INFORMATION FROM NEWS REPORTS. I DO NOT CLAIM TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED ON THE NIGHT OF FEBRUARY 2, 2017, AS ONLY THE PEOPLE WHO WERE THERE DO.

For those who do not know, Tim Piazza was a sophomore at Penn State University who died from a collapsed lung, lacerated spleen, and a fractured skull after a bid-acceptance night at Beta Theta Pi (Pallotto, 2019). Below, I will address the incidents that occurred (reported by Benjamin Wallace of Vanity Fair) and how they could have been influenced by the bystander effect:

Tim was extremely intoxicated and fell down the basement stairs. After some time, a few of his fraternity brothers carried him back upstairs. Tim was obviously unconscious and had multiple visible injuries, but they set him on the couch and carried on with the night. Every single person at the fraternity house physically saw Tim and the condition he was in, yet no one did anything. Finally, one of the fraternity brothers argued with another that they needed to call 911 and got shoved. 911 was not called and the party continued. The party eventually ended and everyone left, leaving Tim alone for the remainder of the night. Two fraternity brothers found Tim the next morning and did not call 911 for almost an hour after (Wallace, 2017).

  • Audience inhibition: It is possible that the bystanders (fraternity brothers, other party-goers) did not call 911 or try to help Tim in any other ways because they were afraid they would be ostracized for it. In fact, this actually occurred when a fraternity brother wanted to call 911 and got pushed across the room for it.
  • Social influence: It is possible that the emergency that occurred was ambiguous. Some of the fraternity brothers and other people at the party may not have understood what exactly was going on with Tim. It is also possible they thought he was just black-out drunk like they have seen hundreds of other college students. It is also possible that the bystanders were too intoxicated to fully understand the circumstances of the situation. With this being said, the bystanders most likely looked to other bystanders to know how to react to the situation, and everyone was responding by ignoring the emergency and going on with the party.
  • Diffusion of responsibility: It is possible that the bystanders of the emergency thought that there were so many other people at the party, someone must have had called 911. Bystanders also may have assumed it was the president of the fraternity or the upperclassmen’s responsibility to get help.

Tragedies can be avoided if the proper help is initiated. However, due to the bystander effect, witnesses of an emergency often fail to get involved or get help because of audience inhibition, social influence, and/or diffusion of responsibility. Unfortunately, it is possible that the bystander effect contributed to the wrongful and premature death of Tim Piazza. As college students, it is important that we keep the bystander effect in mind if we are ever in an emergency situation like the one Tim and his fraternity brothers were in. Remembering the bystander effect could actually save a life.

 

References:

Latané, B., & Nida, S. (1981). Ten years of research on group size and helping. Psychological Bulletin, 89(2), 308-324. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.89.2.308

Pallotto, Bret. (2019). It’s Been 2 Years Since Tim Piazza’s Death at Penn State. Here’s What’s Happened Since. Retrieved from: https://www.centredaily.com/news/local/community/state-college/article225340915.html

Schneider, F. W., Gruman, J. A., and Coutts, L. M. (Eds.). (2012). Applied Social Psychology. Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems. CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.

Wallace, Benjamin. (2017). How a Fatal Frat Hazing Became Penn State’s Latest Campus Crisis. Retrieved from: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/10/penn-state-fraternity-hazing-death

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09
Oct 18

The Bystander Effect

This week we learned about the bystander effect which states that “people are less likely to help in an emergency when other bystanders are present” (Schneider, Gruman, Coutts, p. 247, 2012). I first learned about the bystander effect in a previous psychology class when the case of Kitty Genovese, who was brutally murdered in front of her apartment building in 1964. A number of her neighbors, and likely people on the street, heard her screams and no one called the police (Gruman et al, p. 247, 2012).That story really stuck with me for a long time, and I thought back to all of the times that I was guilty of witnessing a situation where someone may need help and fell pray to a diffusion of responsibility, or diminished sense of responsibility because others would or should have already intervened (Gruman et al, p. 247, 2012).

Since first hearing about Kitty, I’ve made it a personal goal of mine to confirm that someone else has already assisted when someone needs help. I’ve pulled over when people are stranded on the side of the road, for example, way more than I used to (and when it’s safe, of course) because there is no guarantee that the person has a way of getting help. After reading about Kitty, and about Matti this week, it breaks my heart to think that I could someday have the chance to make a difference and not take it because someone else MIGHT have already helped. Too much help is better than none in most cases.

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01
Apr 17

Bystander Inaction

Bystander Inaction
Like 7-Eleven assault, more likely with more witnesses, experts say

A phenomenon known as the bystander effect states that, “people are less likely to help in an emergency when other bystanders are present (Schneider, 2011).” This event occurs as a result of diminished sense of responsibility in the presence of other bystanders who witnessed the emergency occur. Traumatic events may trigger a period of inaction in a public setting where people typically do not involve themselves in situations if other people are present. In several cases, bystanders assume someone else will help and do not take the responsibility on themselves. Witnesses in these situations tend to remain lethargic, detached, and hesitant as they try to process what just happened.

Marques Gaines became the unsuspected victim of assault one early morning. He was found lying motionless in the streets of Chicago after being punched and knocked unconscious. Several people lingered over his stock-stilled body, but no one bothered to carry him out of the traffic-jammed road. No one helped him into a safer spot away from the road. Careless actions led to the preventable fatality of Marques Gaines, who was reported dead after a taxi driver ran him over.

What situational factors contribute to the diffusion of responsibility? Where people tend to not act out or speak up in crowds, because they are unsure of what to think about the existing conflict. In some cases, people do not want to involve themselves because they fear that their own safety may be put at stake. Everyone is going to be put in situations where they do not feel comfortable, but when it comes to being the witness of someone being victimized or in danger, I do not understand how people can sit back and not do anything to help. Too many people assume that other people will do something about it, and move on from the situation. What if you switched places with the person who truly needed your help? How would you feel if they walked away from you? Helping others is a feeling of achievement and pride that builds you into a stronger person. There should not be many exceptions as to why people should not want to help others, unless their life is truly threatened in that situation as well.

Taking moral responsibility for your own actions is important. Although, if you are with a group of spectators following an emergency situation, you should try to communicate with each other and figure out how each of you can best contribute to the situation. You can discuss your personal skills or resources that you may be able to implement to make the best out of the situation, as well as provide help to those who need it. In several cases, bystanders are all experiencing feelings of confusion and hesitance. It takes one person to step up and be a leader. You could possibly save a life one day, and that is one of the most rewarding feelings you could perpetrate (O’Connell & Lee, 2016).

APA CITATION:

Schneider, Frank W., Gruman, Jamie A.,Coutts, Larry. M. (2011). Applied Social Psychology: Intervention and Evaluation (Second Edition, pp. 247).

O’Connell, P. M., & Lee, W. (2016, April 23). Bystander inaction, like 7-Eleven assault, more likely with more witnesses, experts say. Retrieved April 01, 2017, from http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-bystander-effect-bartender-death-met-20160421-story.html

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