IB Psychology Topic Bystanderism Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Psychology Topic Bystanderism Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

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Bystanderism: Why Crowds Reduce the Likelihood of Help

Bystanderism refers to the phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help in an emergency when others are present.
This concept was first explored following the 1964 murder of Kitty Genovese in New York, where multiple witnesses failed to intervene.

Note

Bystanderism is a key concept in social psychology.
It shows how situational and cognitive factors can override personal values and inhibit helping behaviour.

Key Studies: Two Experiments That Shaped the Field

Example

Darley and Latané (1968)
- Aim: To investigate the effect of group size on bystander intervention.
- Procedure: 72 university students were placed in separate rooms and communicated via intercom, believing they were alone, in groups of 2, or groups of 6.
- A confederate then simulated a seizure.
- Results: Alone: 85% helped; groups of 2: 62% helped; groups of 6: 31% helped.
- Conclusion: Helping decreases as group size increases, demonstrating diffusion of responsibility.

Example

Piliavin et al. (1969)
- Aim: To examine factors influencing helping behavior in a real-life setting.
- Procedure: A confederate collapsed on a New York subway, appearing either drunk or ill; observers recorded bystander reactions.
- Results: Ill victim: 95% helped; drunk victim: 50% helped.
- Diffusion of responsibility was not observed; helping was more likely when the victim appeared deserving.
- Conclusion: Helping is influenced by the perceived deservingness of the victim and a cost-reward analysis.

Factors Influencing Bystanderism: Diffusion, Ignorance, and Cost-Reward

Diffusion of Responsibility
1. When multiple bystanders are present, individuals feel less personal responsibility to act.
2. Demonstrated by Darley and Latané (1968): helping rates fell sharply as group size increased.

Example

In large crowds (concerts, public events), individuals often assume someone else will intervene, leading to collective inaction.

Pluralistic Ignorance
1. Bystanders look to others for cues on how to react.
2. If others appear unconcerned, individuals may interpret the situation as a non-emergency even when it is one.

Example

Latané and Darley (1968) found that participants were less likely to report smoke filling a room when others ignored it.
This demonstrates pluralistic ignorance: others' calm reactions signal that there is no danger.

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

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Bystanderism: Why Crowds Reduce the Likelihood of Help

Bystanderism refers to the phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help in an emergency when others are present.
This concept was first explored following the 1964 murder of Kitty Genovese in New York, where multiple witnesses failed to intervene.

Note

Bystanderism is a key concept in social psychology.
It shows how situational and cognitive factors can override personal values and inhibit helping behaviour.

Key Studies: Two Experiments That Shaped the Field

Example

Darley and Latané (1968)
- Aim: To investigate the effect of group size on bystander intervention.
- Procedure: 72 university students were placed in separate rooms and communicated via intercom, believing they were alone, in groups of 2, or groups of 6.
- A confederate then simulated a seizure.
- Results: Alone: 85% helped; groups of 2: 62% helped; groups of 6: 31% helped.
- Conclusion: Helping decreases as group size increases, demonstrating diffusion of responsibility.

Example

Piliavin et al. (1969)
- Aim: To examine factors influencing helping behavior in a real-life setting.
- Procedure: A confederate collapsed on a New York subway, appearing either drunk or ill; observers recorded bystander reactions.
- Results: Ill victim: 95% helped; drunk victim: 50% helped.
- Diffusion of responsibility was not observed; helping was more likely when the victim appeared deserving.
- Conclusion: Helping is influenced by the perceived deservingness of the victim and a cost-reward analysis.

Factors Influencing Bystanderism: Diffusion, Ignorance, and Cost-Reward

Diffusion of Responsibility
1. When multiple bystanders are present, individuals feel less personal responsibility to act.
2. Demonstrated by Darley and Latané (1968): helping rates fell sharply as group size increased.

Example

In large crowds (concerts, public events), individuals often assume someone else will intervene, leading to collective inaction.

Pluralistic Ignorance
1. Bystanders look to others for cues on how to react.
2. If others appear unconcerned, individuals may interpret the situation as a non-emergency even when it is one.

Example

Latané and Darley (1968) found that participants were less likely to report smoke filling a room when others ignored it.
This demonstrates pluralistic ignorance: others' calm reactions signal that there is no danger.

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

Biological Approach4 subtopics

Cognitive Approach4 subtopics

Sociocultural Approach4 subtopics

Option 1: Abnormal Psychology3 subtopics

Option 2: Developmental Psychology3 subtopics

Option 3: Health Psychology3 subtopics

Option 4: Human Relationships3 subtopics

IB Psychology Bystanderism Notes

Biological Approach4 subtopics

Cognitive Approach4 subtopics

Sociocultural Approach4 subtopics

Option 1: Abnormal Psychology3 subtopics

Option 2: Developmental Psychology3 subtopics

Option 3: Health Psychology3 subtopics

Option 4: Human Relationships3 subtopics

Bystanderism: Why Crowds Reduce the Likelihood of Help

Key Studies: Two Experiments That Shaped the Field

Factors Influencing Bystanderism: Diffusion, Ignorance, and Cost-Reward

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Bystanderism: Why Crowds Reduce the Likelihood of Help

Key Studies: Two Experiments That Shaped the Field

Factors Influencing Bystanderism: Diffusion, Ignorance, and Cost-Reward

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account