Bystander Behavior Analysis
For each scenario, carefully consider the situation and imagine yourself as an onlooker. Reflect on the likelihood that you (or any onlooker) would intervene. Answer the questions that follow.
ScenariosThe Reckless Driver: On a snowy day, a car is weaving through traffic, speeding to pass others, barely avoiding collisions. Suddenly, it hits a patch of ice and slides off the road onto the shoulder. Motorists who have been following the driver slow down as they approach the car.
The Teacher’s Papers: A teacher, carrying a large stack of papers across campus, accidentally drops them while bending over to pick up a pen. A sudden gust of wind scatters the papers across the sidewalk, as students and passersby watch the scene unfold.
The Tavern Argument: Just outside a tavern around 1:00 a.m., several men are arguing. Two of the men are loudly confronting a third man who appears to be retreating. As the two men move closer, the lone man backs against a wall, and a group of people exiting the tavern notices the situation.
The Bridge Incident: Late at night, a man climbs onto the railing of a bridge high above a river. He sits on the edge, muttering to himself. A pedestrian walking on the bridge notices him.
Questions:On a scale of 1 to 7, how likely is it that an onlooker would help in this situation?
1 (Very unlikely) — 7 (Very likely)
Write your response for each scenario.
Influencing Factors
Identify factors that might influence whether an onlooker would help or not help in each scenario. List them under two headings:
Factors Encouraging Help:
What circumstances or characteristics might make an onlooker more likely to intervene?
Factors Discouraging Help:
What conditions or elements might make an onlooker less likely to step in?
Reflection Question After analyzing all four scenarios, answer the following:
What patterns do you notice across these situations?
Think about common reasons that might impact whether people choose to help or not. Describe any themes or factors that appear repeatedly across scenarios, and consider how they might relate to concepts from our social psychology class.
Rubric (20 points total)
Likelihood of Help (4 points)
1 point for each scenario.
Influencing Factors (8 points)
For each scenario:
1 point for listing factors encouraging help.
1 point for listing factors discouraging help.
Reflection Questions (8 points total)
4 points for each reflection question.
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