Social Psychology: Bystander Effect and Deindividuation

Introduction

• The lecture discusses two important concepts in social psychology: the bystander effect and deindividuation.
• Illustrates real-life scenarios and research findings to explain these phenomena.

The Bystander Effect

• Definition: A psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present.
• Key Point: The more people present, the less likely it is that an individual will help.
• Reasons for the Effect:
  • Lack of knowledge: People may not know how to help or assume someone else will.
  • Diffusion of Responsibility Theory: People feel less personal responsibility when others are present.

Example

• Kitty Genovese Case: Illustrates bystander effect with 38 witnesses not intervening during her attack.
  • Many witnesses assumed others would act.
  • Attack lasted over 30 minutes, highlighting the significant impact of the bystander effect.

Deindividuation

• Definition: A psychological state where individuals in a group are more likely to act impulsively and antisocially because the presence of the crowd conceals their identity.
• Key Point: People in groups may behave in ways they normally wouldn't due to reduced inhibition and anonymity.

Examples

• Black Friday Incidents:
  • People engage in violence and theft due to the crowd's influence.
  • Behavior driven by the anonymity provided by the group dynamic.
• Internet Behavior:
  • Anonymity on the internet leads to antisocial behavior like cyberbullying and expressing unusual beliefs.
  • Example: Negative comments on YouTube videos.

Summary

• Social psychology helps us understand why people behave differently in groups.
• Terms like bystander effect and deindividuation provide clarity to these behaviors.
• Recognizing these phenomena can help mitigate their effects in real-life situations.