Are Victims Truly Worse Off in the Presence of Bystanders? Revisiting the Bystander Effect

  • Hanna Fromell
  • , Daniele Nosenzo
  • , Trudy Owens
  • , Fabio Tufano

    Research output: Working paperDiscussion paperAcademic

    268 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Previous studies have shown that individuals are less likely to help a person in need when there are “bystanders” present who can also offer help. We designed an experiment to re-examine this “bystander effect” using modified dictator games. We find lower giving rates in the presence of bystanders, confirming the existence of a bystander effect. However, we also show that the recipient’s welfare is greater when bystanders are present, challenging the usual interpretation that the bystander effect is due to an erosion of prosocial values
    Original languageEnglish
    PublisherUniversity of Nottingham
    Number of pages20
    Publication statusPublished - 2017

    Publication series

    NameCeDEx Discussion Paper Series
    No.15
    Volume2017
    ISSN (Print)1749-3293

    Keywords

    • bystander effect
    • bystander dilemma
    • diffusion of responsibility
    • dictator game
    • social norms

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