Bystander Intervention Training

Does it Increase Perceptions of Blame for Non-Intervention

Bibliographic Data

ID2291987
AuthorsMellisa Holtzman (0000-0003-2847-0074, Ball State University, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume91
Issue4
Pages914-939
Publication date2021-11-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSociological Inquiry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0038-0245 • E-ISSN: 1475-682X
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/soin.12391
OpenAlexW3088583409
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited41

This study explores if bystanders to sexual violence are assigned blame when they fail to intervene. During 2017, 31 female and 20 male U.S. college students were asked to read three of six randomly assigned sexual assault vignettes and participate in an interview about their perceptions of bystander inaction. Qualitative analyses reveal that college students do hold bystanders accountable for inaction, but the assignment of blame depends upon the bystander's knowledge of the perpetrator's intentions, the degree of similarity between respondents and the bystanders in the vignettes, and the degree to which the bystanders could have behaved differently. Bystanders do face moderate blame for their inaction, this is true in a variety of assault situations, and it suggests bystander training increases perceptions of culpability for non-intervention. This information can help campus administrators improve the efficacy of their bystander education programs

Blame · Bystander effect · Criminology · Culpability · Intervention (counseling) · Medical emergency · Perception · Poison control · Psychiatry · Sexual assault · Suicide prevention · Gun Ownership and Violence Research · Medicine · Psychology · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies · Social Psychology · Workplace Violence and Bullying

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