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Are Victims Truly Worse Off in the Presence of Bystanders? Revisiting the Bystander Effect

Author

Listed:
  • Hanna Fromell

    (University of Groningen)

  • Daniele Nosenzo

    (University of Nottingham)

  • Trudy Owens

    (University of Nottingham)

  • Fabio Tufano

    (University of Nottingham)

Abstract
Previous studies have shown that individuals are less likely to help a person in need when there are 'bystanders' present who can also offer help. We designed an experiment to re-examine this 'bystander effect' using modified dictator games. We find lower giving rates in the presence of bystanders, confirming the existence of a bystander effect. However, we also show that the recipient's welfare is greater when bystanders are present, challenging the usual interpretation that the bystander effect is due to an erosion of prosocial values.

Suggested Citation

  • Hanna Fromell & Daniele Nosenzo & Trudy Owens & Fabio Tufano, 2017. "Are Victims Truly Worse Off in the Presence of Bystanders? Revisiting the Bystander Effect," Discussion Papers 2017-15, The Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics, School of Economics, University of Nottingham.
  • Handle: RePEc:not:notcdx:2017-15
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    File URL: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cedex/documents/papers/cedex-discussion-paper-2017-15.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Campos-Mercade, Pol, 2022. "When are groups less moral than individuals?," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 20-36.
    2. Marie Claire Villeval, 2019. "Comportements (non) éthiques et stratégies morales," Revue économique, Presses de Sciences-Po, vol. 70(6), pages 1021-1046.
    3. Campos-Mercade, Pol, 2021. "The volunteer’s dilemma explains the bystander effect," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 186(C), pages 646-661.
    4. Brishti Guha, 2020. "Revisiting the volunteer's dilemma: group size and public good provision in the presence of some ambiguity aversion," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 40(2), pages 1308-1318.

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    Keywords

    bystander effect; bystander dilemma; diffusion of responsibility; dictator game; social norms;
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