Bystander Effects Practical Applications of knowledge

An understanding of the bystander effect might be used to increase prosocial behaviour.

Definition –Prosocial Behaviour – Behaviour which benefits others and may or may not benefit the helper.

Assigning Responsibility – A psychologist called Cialdini(1985) was involved in a car accident.

He watched as other cars passed by without stopping.

Cialdini said ‘I remember thinking, Oh No, it’s happening just like the research says. They are all passing by! I considered it fortunate as a Social Psychologist I knew exactly what to do. Pulling myself up so I could be seen clearly, I pointed at the driver of one car; Call the Police – to a second driverand third driver pointing directly each time; Pull over we need help – These then acted immediately to help

Teaching-

 Beaman et al suggest that if people knew about the Bystander Effect they would be less likely to be affected by it

Prosocial Television-

 There is some evidence that prosocial television influences behaviour in a positive direction. For example Forge and Phemister(1987) found that the behaviour of preschool children was influenced by prosocial cartoons.

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