An Introduction to Social Psychology (BPS Textbooks in Psychology) by Miles Hewstone & Wolfgang Stroebe & Klaus Jonas

Author:Miles Hewstone & Wolfgang Stroebe & Klaus Jonas [Hewstone, Miles]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2012-12-13T23:00:00+00:00

A decision-making model of bystander behaviour

Based on a careful programme of research, Latané and Darley formulated a five-step decision-making model of bystander behaviour, focusing on the situational factors involved in the intervention situation; this has become one of the most influential approaches to bystander behaviour. The sequential decision-making model that Latané and Darley proposed consists of the following stages: (1) noticing the event; (2) deciding if it is an emergency; (3) deciding on the degree of personal responsibility; (4) deciding on the specific mode of intervention; and (5) implementing the chosen intervention (Latané & Darley, 1970; see Theory Box 10.3). Latané and Darley propose that a negative decision at any stage of this series will result in help not being given. Crucially, it is the presence or absence of others that is key to the individual’s response to an emergency. Thus, Latané and Darley suggest that bystander intervention can be inhibited by three social psychological processes: diffusion of responsibility, pluralistic ignorance and audience inhibition.

Diffusion of responsibility

On your own, you feel the focus of responsibility for helping is on you – there is no one else present who can help, therefore you are responsible for helping. If, however, you are with other people, friends or strangers, each individual bystander feels less responsibility, as the responsibility for helping is spread or ‘diffused’ across all those who are present. This leads to each person being less likely to provide help themselves. This process may occur at step 3 of the decision-making model, where the bystander decides on the level of personal responsibility to take.

THEORY BOX 10.3

FIVE-STEP DECISION-MAKING MODEL OF BYSTANDER INTERVENTION

Source: Based on Latané & Darley, 1970.

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