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
Sexual harassment is a major problem in today’s society. It can cause psychological problems to victims. One of those problems is that victims may blame themselves for being harassed. This can...Show moreSexual harassment is a major problem in today’s society. It can cause psychological problems to victims. One of those problems is that victims may blame themselves for being harassed. This can eventually cause PTSD. Factors that might affect self-blame are social information and a perception of control. This study aims to determine if the perception of control can backfire if the victim is unable to stand up to the harassment. Furthermore, we try to find out if social information, conveyed by the behaviour of bystanders, can influence self-blame as well. The study sample comprised 240 women, aged 18-29. The women were divided between two self-efficacy (perceived control) conditions and four different bystander behaviour conditions. Eventually we had eight different groups. The results didn’t show that self-efficacy or bystander behaviour had any significant effect on self-blame. In our exploratory analysis we did find significant effects on sexual harassment myth acceptation. Those who were less likely to believe myths regarding harassment also scored lower on self-blame. This study was conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, research methods were limited. After the pandemic, new methods can be used to study the effect of self-efficacy and bystander behaviour on self-blame. Regarding myth acceptation, giving a potential victim insight in the suffering of those being harassed, may reduce self-blame during future events of harassment.Show less
Many studies have shown that victims in an ostracism situation experience the threat of four basic psychological needs by instance. In the current study, such negative consequence also occurs when...Show moreMany studies have shown that victims in an ostracism situation experience the threat of four basic psychological needs by instance. In the current study, such negative consequence also occurs when victims are excluded from a monetary share in an economic game: the dictator game. They believe the blame is on the perpetrator but themselves for such exclusion. Moreover, the victim seeks retaliation to the perpetrator when they are given the chance to be the dictator themselves. The negative impact from the perpetrator does not get affected when there are bystanders in this situation, no matter if they try to speak up for the victim or stay silent. However, the retaliation by the victim is also targeted at those bystanders when they did not make an effort to help in the ostracism situation. After being a victim of ostracism in the dictator game, people restore their needs satisfaction by becoming a dictator and given the power over the previous perpetrator.Show less
