The aim of this study was to analyze how cheating behavior of a perpetrator is affected by the presence of witnesses and their perceived social identification. Based on the Routine Activity Theory ...Show moreThe aim of this study was to analyze how cheating behavior of a perpetrator is affected by the presence of witnesses and their perceived social identification. Based on the Routine Activity Theory (Cohen & Felson, 1979) and the Social Identity of Deindividuation Effects Model (Postmes et al., 1998), it was hypothesized that perpetrators would be less likely to cheat when there are witnesses present compared to not present, and when the witnesses are part of the in-group compared to the out-group. A third hypothesis postulated public self-awareness as a mediator in the relation between group membership of the witnesses and cheating behavior. The hypotheses were not supported by the data of the current study. It is theorized that the ostensible witnesses in the online experiment were perceived to be insufficiently interactive, resulting in less accountability for the perpetrator. Recommendations are provided for future research to build on these findings.Show less
To understand how someone feels when they're bullied at work and no one steps in to help, we looked at what victims think, how they feel, and what they need most during bullying at work. We thought...Show moreTo understand how someone feels when they're bullied at work and no one steps in to help, we looked at what victims think, how they feel, and what they need most during bullying at work. We thought that those who didn't get any help would feel more like it’s their own fault, they would feel more down, and would have a stronger desire to fit in the group, to have control over the situation, to feel like their life has a purpose and to feel good about oneself. We asked 163 victims about their experiences through an online survey on Qualtrics. The independent sample t test showed that victims of workspace bullying who didn’t get help felt a stronger sense of not fitting in the group and a stronger sense of their life lacking purpose. Whether they got help or not didn't change how much they felt it was their own fault, how much they were feeling down and their need to have control over the situation and need to feel good about oneself. In the discussion we talk about what this means and its importance.Show less
Routine Activity Theory (RAT) is a widely approved theory in the field of criminology. However, the causal mechanisms of the concept of guardianship within this theory lack experimental...Show moreRoutine Activity Theory (RAT) is a widely approved theory in the field of criminology. However, the causal mechanisms of the concept of guardianship within this theory lack experimental substantiation. The current study aims to capitalize on this research gap by testing the accuracy of RAT in practice, while also assessing the effects of offender-guardian identity similarities using Social Identity Theory (SIT) and deindividuation theory. The research question that is examined is: Does the presence of guardians inhibit cheating behavior, and is this relationship influenced by offenders’ perception of guardians as members of the in-group rather than the out-group? Participants performed an online quiz in which they could cheat. They either did the quiz alone, in the presence of in-group or out-group bystanders. In- and out-groups were manipulated through gender. Inconsistent with prior expectations, a one-way ANOVA showed no significant differences in cheating behavior between the conditions. Also, planned contrast analyses indicated no significant effects of the presence and the social identity of guardians on cheating behavior. Thus, failing to support the notion in RAT that the presence of guardians inhibits criminal behavior and negates the impact of social identity similarities between offender and bystander. However, these results could be subject to the inability to create strong group identities. Future research could therefore implement another manipulation criterion and conduct the quiz offline.Show less
People generally behave less pro-social when being ostracized, unless bystanders are present and they can use pro-social behaviour in order to regain status in the group. This current study...Show morePeople generally behave less pro-social when being ostracized, unless bystanders are present and they can use pro-social behaviour in order to regain status in the group. This current study examines whether the level of social inclusion influences the pro-social behaviour of green consumption. We also examine whether specific groups of bystanders influence this behaviour. Thee hypotheses were formed: first, ostracism leads to less green consumption when no bystanders are present. Second, the presence of pro-environmental bystanders will lead to more green consumption, meanwhile the presence of anti-environmental bystanders will lead to less green consumption. Third, the influence of the bystanders on green consumption will be largest for ostracized individuals and smallest for over-included individuals. After a game of Cyberball to manipulate the level of inclusion, participants would choose a pro-environmental or conventional product. However, none of our hypotheses yielded significant results. Further research can focus more on the difference in gender eco-gap and the prices of the pro-environmental products in order to further battle a the current climate crisis.Show less
While the bystander effect is a common phenomenon, the effects of this non-intervention during critical moments to the victims is not clear. The current retrospective study investigated whether non...Show moreWhile the bystander effect is a common phenomenon, the effects of this non-intervention during critical moments to the victims is not clear. The current retrospective study investigated whether non-intervention of bystanders had an effect on victims who experienced undesired behavior in the workplace. We hypothesized the fulfilment of victims’ four fundamental needs would go down, their self-blame would be higher, their perpetrator blame would be lower, and their negative emotions would be higher because of the non-intervention of bystanders. The data from 150 participants were analyzed and results showed main effects of intervention of bystanders, the need to belong, the need for meaningful existence, and self-blame. Here, passive bystanders affected these needs more negatively than active bystanders. Additional analyses also showed main effects for the need to belong, bystander blame, and positive emotions. However, no main effects were found of the need for control and self-esteem, perpetrator blame, and negative emotions. Practical implications regarding the work environment and awareness are discussed.Show less
Although the bystander effect has been subject to extensive research, consequences for victims are unknown. The current study examines the psychological consequences for victims of undesired...Show moreAlthough the bystander effect has been subject to extensive research, consequences for victims are unknown. The current study examines the psychological consequences for victims of undesired behavior at work when passive bystanders are present. In our retrospective study, we assessed cognitions, fulfillment of needs, and emotions (PANAS) after participants’ previous experiences of undesired behavior at work. We expected victims who were in presence of passive bystanders to blame their selves more, and to blame the perpetrator less, comparing to victims in presence of active bystanders. Also, we expected them to experience more negative emotions, and their needs to be less fulfilled. As expected, victims who were in presence of active bystanders felt a higher need to belong, and for meaningful existence. However, other expectations were not supported. Our results support the idea that passive behavior of bystanders in a situation of undesired behavior raises a feeling of social exclusion, which suggests a parallel to ostracism.Show less
