Are victims truly worse off in the presence of bystanders? Revisiting the bystander effect

Arbeitspapier

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.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: CeDEx Discussion Paper Series ; No. 2017-15

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Design of Experiments: Laboratory, Group Behavior ; Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
• Subject: bystander effect ; bystander dilemma ; diffusion of responsibility ; dictator game ; socialnorms

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Fromell, Hanna ; Nosenzo, Daniele ; Owens, Trudy ; Tufano, Fabio
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): The University of Nottingham, Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics (CeDEx)
• (where): Nottingham
• (when): 2017

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/200418
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET