Bystander Affiliation Influences Intervention Behavior: A Virtual Reality Study

Traditional work on bystander intervention in violent emergencies has found that the larger group, less chance any individual will intervene. Here, we tested impact helping behavior of affiliation bystanders with respect to participants. We recruited 40 male supporters U.K. Arsenal football club for a two-factor between groups study 10 participants per group. Each participant spoke virtual human supporter (V), scenario displayed reality system. During this conversation, another character (P), not an fan, verbally abused V being fan leading eventually physical pushing. There was group three who were all either indicated by their shirts, or fans wearing unbranded shirts. These encouraged intervene dissuaded him. recorded number times intervened help during aggression. more likely when out-group participant. By comparing levels “baseline” (identical except presence bystanders), conclude in-group decreases helping. argue therefore that, other things equal, diffusion responsibility is be overcome and victim share membership, but do not. Our findings develop understanding how works combining elements both effect social identity approach behavior.