Altruistic

• Elderly man collapses in pedestrianised town


  • What do you do? Why?
• Smoke seeping through ventilation duct in lecture


  • What do you do? Why?
• Hearing gunshots at night in bed


  • Do you call the police? Why (not)?
• Witnessing argument and assault outside pub late at night

  • Do you just walk away? Do you try to help?
• Link to article about bystander responses to attack on metro
• Link to article about Kitty Genovese case

  
• The bystander effect


  • Diffusion of responsibility: when we believe others will help so we do not have to
  • Noticing the event: we are slower to notice smoke in a room when we are in a group, compared to when we are on our own
  • Pluralistic ignorance: when we interpret the situation according to others' reactions
  • Cost of helping: sometimes it may be dangerous to intervene
• Personal factors affecting bystander intervention

  • Competence: if we feel competent (able) enough then we will help
  • Mood: we are more likely to help if we are in a good mood than in a bad mood
  • Similarity: the more we see ourselves as similar to a victim, then the more likely we are to help them
• Link to video on smoke filled room study