AGENTS VS EXCUSES
WORDS - AARON NEWTON
Domestic violence is an issue that knows no boundaries, affecting individuals across communities. It thrives in silence and secrecy while often hidden behind closed doors. This episode delved into the complex dynamics of domestic violence, with a particular focus on the bystander effect, the beliefs of situations, and the concept of cohesion in addressing this issue. This blog dives in deeper and explores some of the studies talked about in the Agents. For Change episode Agents vs Excuses.
SO, WHAT IS THE BYSTANDER EFFECT?
To answer that, let’s go back into the history of where the bystander effect came from and outline some of the experiments that took place.
The concept of the bystander effect first started with Kurt Lewin, often considered one of the pioneers of social psychology. Lewin’s work helped us understand the internal cognitive processes that underlie human behaviour, decision-making, and social interactions. Thanks, Lewin!
An experiment by researchers John Darley and Bibb Latané (1968) was the first to experimentally research the bystander effect following the 1964 murder of a New York City woman named Kitty Genovese in which the media reported that no bystander intervened to help.
Darley and Latané conducted a series of experiments where participants were placed in situations where they believed they were alone, with one other person, or in groups. Participants were asked to respond to a staged emergency, such as a smoke-filled room or a person having a seizure. The study found that people were less likely to offer help when they thought others were present. This research resulted in three different psychological processes that might prevent a bystander from helping someone in distress;
The bystander effect
Diffusion responsibility
Pluralistic ignorance
The bystander effect is a social psychological phenomenon that suggests individuals are less likely to help a victim when others are present. The study demonstrated that more witnesses could lead to a diffusion of responsibility, where each individual assumes that someone else will take action, leading to inaction or that individuals might look to others for cues to respond in an emergency. If everyone is showing passive behaviour, it can create a situation of pluralistic ignorance, where people assume that if no one else is acting, the situation may not be as severe as it appears.
THE BYSTANDER EFFECT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
The study itself does not explicitly address domestic violence. When applied to this context, it helps understand how people may respond to incidents of domestic violence.
In the context of domestic violence, the presence of family members, friends, or neighbours might lead to a reduced likelihood of someone intervening or reporting the abuse. This can help us understand why some individuals might not respond to signs of violence, as they may assume others will take responsibility for reporting or intervening. People witnessing abusive behaviour may hesitate to intervene or report it because they believe others will do so, resulting in collective inaction or may lead to people underestimating the severity of the abuse and, therefore, not taking action.
A REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE OF SOCIAL IDENTITY
Re-examinations of the evidence of Kitty Genovese’s murder have conclusively demonstrated that there were active bystanders. Check out the research by Lurigio (2015) and Manning, Levine, & Collins (2007). The re-examination identified that the initial media narrative lacked depth and accuracy; however, these studies delved into the social dynamics. The research identified that the presence of others can either facilitate or impede bystander intervention, depending on the specific circumstances and the nature of the relationships among those present.
Levine and Manning (2013), through a combination of experiments, interviews and focus groups, explored the role of social identity in bystander behaviour. This involves exploring social identity connections among bystanders and their interactions with each other, victims, and perpetrators.
This shared identity, along with the associated norms and values, can either encourage or hinder intervention (Levine & Crowther, 2008). Here is an example from a study where male participants who watched CCTV footage of a domestic violence incident involving a man and a woman were more inclined to intervene when other women were present compared to when other men were around. Women who viewed the same video were less likely to interfere when surrounded by other men, as opposed to being in the company of other women. The influence of others’ presence is not consistent and depends on the dynamics of social identity relationships among the bystanders.
GROUP COHESION
With the increase in social media, researchers have studied how group cohesion in online settings affects bystander behaviour. For example, studies have examined cases where harmful or inappropriate content is posted online, and they have seen how many individuals report or act against the content. In some cases, individuals might be less likely to intervene when they perceive that others in the online community will do so, leading to a diffusion of responsibility.
The original bystander theory says that when more people are around, they might not help. However, it does not consider all the different things that can affect how bystanders behave in various situations. The presence of others does not solely determine bystander behaviour but by a combination of social identity relationships, the nature of the emergency, the characteristics of the victim, and various contextual elements.
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
Bystander intervention is most effective when it is a collective and coordinated effort. Cohesion, commonality, and a desire for mutual aid can be powerful tools to create change within communities. When communities share common values, they are more likely to step in, challenge excuses, and support people experiencing violence. Communities can build supportive networks, establish intervention mechanisms, and provide resources for people experiencing violence.
KEEP LEARNING MORE & BE THE CHANGE
Understanding the bystander effect and its implications for domestic violence is essential for creating more effective interventions and support systems. By recognizing the role of social identity, group cohesion, and the power of community, we can work together to break the silence, challenge excuses, and promote a culture of empathy and intervention.
It’s time for individuals to become agents of change, not a bystander.
To learn more about the Bystander Effect, check out PsychCentral or how this may be relevant to Sexual Harassment and Violence Prevention.
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