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The Bystander Effect: In Which Grade Level Is It Worst?

CSEF · 2010 Behavioral & Social Sciences

Chrystal Johnson · Morningside High School, Inglewood, Los Angeles County

Overview

Objectives/Goals This study seeks to compare in which grade level - elementary, middle school, or high school is the Bystander Effect in its worst given that a choreographed argument/ fight will occur in the campus. Methods/Materials The procedure involved planning the whole scenario involving the actors, observers who recorded how long it took for the staged fight to be reported to a school security guard, administrator, or a teacher. I also conducted a survey after the incident asking students to check the reason why they did not report the incident; what is their usual course of action in events like this; and if they are aware of the bystander effect phenomenon. Results Results showed that only 10% of the high school students; 2% of middle school and 0% of elementary school students are aware of the bystander effect. "I don't care", is the number one reason why high school students do not report such incidents to school authorities. Regarding the answer to question number two as to what students usually do when an incident like this occurs, it was inconclusive since it was an even 40% for walking towards the commotion and walking away from it. 20% of students answered, doing neither. Conclusions/Discussion From this data, I draw the conclusion that the Bystander effect is at its worst in high school. After reaching 9th grade, students no longer care about victims of on-campus violence, or even approach the situation. This doesn't seem to coincide with the believed cause of bystander apathy, which leads to the assumption that either people undergo a second change of viewpoint on violence after high school, or the real cause of bystander apathy is desensitization to violent events.

Summary statement

The Bystander Effect is more prevalent in high school than in middle or elementary school because as students grow older they become more self-centered and thus, less responsive to their surroundings.

Help received

My classmates for helping me record the data; the principals who granted their permissions for me to conduct the survey; and Ms. Adriatico for her guidance.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2010 Behavioral & Social Sciences · Entry S0311

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