Understanding Bystander Behavior: The Influence of and Interaction Between Bystander Characteristics and Situational Factors

Abstract

Most researchers point to the death of Kitty Genovese in 1964 as the genesis of interest in studying bystander response to crime (Laner, Benin, & Ventrone, 2001; Levine, Cassidy, Brazier, & Reicher, 2002; Moriarty, 1975; Schwartz & Gottlieb, 1980). Since then, researchers have examined the role of situational variables and of victim, perpetrator, and bystander characteristics on whether or not bystander intervention occurs. In the present study, the researchers used a factorial design to determine whether the self-reported likelihood of bystander intervention and type of intervention (passive/active) varied by the location of the offense, time constraints, and bystander characteristics (e.g., height/weight, self-defense training, and life-saving training). Results suggest that gender, race, location of offense, self-defense training, and height and weight play a role in self-reported bystander behavior. An interaction between gender, location of offense, and self-defense training was also evident.

Keywords:

• bystander intervention
• bystander strategies
• helping behavior
• violence prevention
• bystander decision making
• self-defense training
• crime prevention

Notes

1. While there were 10 victims involved in the criminal case, Pennsylvania State University settled lawsuits with at least 26 alleged victims.

2. The gender composition of the university where the study took place was 59% female, 41% male (60% female, 40% male for first-year full-time students).