This is an example of the information that needs to be contained in a booklet, administered to households. It is based on the combination of models and the studies conducted, and also offers specific advice to the Government.
Victim’s Guide to Receiving Help
· Make it very clear that help is needed- don’t expect people to come to this conclusion on their own, as they may not (Canada’s Safety Council, 2004).
· If you are involved in a dispute between a man and a women, the victim must identify that it is not a domestic dispute (Shotland & Straw, 1976).
· Identify someone directly and specifically ask them for help.
· Do not chose a person who looks in a hurry, people in a hurry are less likely to help you (Darley & Batson, 1973)
Bystander’s guide to getting others to act
· Verbally acknowledge the situation, thus reducing any ambiguity for others
· Give verbal encouragements that make other bystanders feel personal responsibility to act, such as ‘it is our responsibility to report this’ (Bickman & Rosen, 1977).
· Act as an altruistic model and intervene in an emergency situation, this defines help as the appropriate response. For example reporting a robbery.
Community and Government Actions
· Increase training in first aid, people who feel competent are more likely to help
· Increase Neighbourhood Watch awareness
· Encourage people that by numerous people coming forward, a greater picture of a crime is created, thus the perpetrators are more likely to be caught.
· Creating altruistic models for young children and encouraging them that intervention (calling 000) in an emergency situation is the correct action.
· Creating/enforcing ‘Good Samaritan’ laws to protect those that do help
Sunday, October 7, 2007
The Bystander Effect Appendix B
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1 comment:
Hi Bec,
Unfortunately, many people probably do not always react in an emergency situation. This seems to increase if people are in a group o9r the presence of a confederate, unsure of the situation, or have other things on their agenda. This has been displayed in the studies you have summarised on the bystander effect.
I think it is a great idea to distribute a booklet with this kind of information to houses in different neighbourhoods. Although, a booklet would be great....there is always the chance that it gets thrown out with junk mail, or only the parents read it..or noone reads it. Maybe the only thing to consider would be education in schools. Perhaps a two day course on emergency situations, that could be intertwined with first aid education. Present the information at an earlier age, and reinforce it with the booklet! Just a thought!
It's kind of sad that we don't do as much as we can to help others in problem situations. Good blog, i really enjoyed reading it :)
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