9.3 Bystander intervention and peer support

Bystander intervention and peer support are crucial strategies for preventing violence. These approaches empower individuals to take action when witnessing potentially harmful situations and provide support to those at risk.

The bystander effect can hinder intervention, but understanding its causes and learning effective techniques can overcome this barrier. Peer support networks foster healthy relationships and skills that reduce violence, creating safer communities for everyone.

Bystander Effect and Intervention

Social Psychological Phenomenon and Influencing Factors

Top images from around the web for Social Psychological Phenomenon and Influencing Factors

• 

  The Social and Personality Psychology Domain | Introduction to Psychology View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Social media: The modern stage for the bystander effect? - Psychology 1010 View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Bystander Effect in Helping Behaviour: An Experiment View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Social and Personality Psychology Domain | Introduction to Psychology View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Social media: The modern stage for the bystander effect? - Psychology 1010 View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Social Psychological Phenomenon and Influencing Factors

• 

  The Social and Personality Psychology Domain | Introduction to Psychology View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Social media: The modern stage for the bystander effect? - Psychology 1010 View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Bystander Effect in Helping Behaviour: An Experiment View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  The Social and Personality Psychology Domain | Introduction to Psychology View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Social media: The modern stage for the bystander effect? - Psychology 1010 View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• The bystander effect is a social psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to intervene in an emergency situation when other people are present
• Factors that influence bystander intervention include:
  • Diffusion of responsibility: The presence of others makes each individual feel less personally responsible for intervening
  • Pluralistic ignorance: The assumption that others are not interpreting the situation as an emergency, leading to a lack of action
  • Evaluation apprehension: The fear of being judged negatively by others for intervening
• The 5-step decision-making process for bystander intervention:
  1. Noticing the event
  2. Interpreting it as an emergency
  3. Accepting responsibility to help
  4. Knowing how to help
  5. Implementing the decision to help

Situational and Personal Factors Affecting Bystander Intervention

• Situational factors that influence bystander intervention:
  • Clarity of the situation
  • Perceived danger or risk
  • Relationship between the bystander and the individuals involved (strangers vs. friends)
• Personal factors that influence bystander intervention:
  • Bystander's personality traits (extroversion, empathy)
  • Attitudes (belief in personal responsibility to help)
  • Past experiences with similar situations (previous successful interventions)

Strategies for Bystander Intervention

The 4 Ds of Bystander Intervention

• Direct intervention: Directly addressing the situation and the individuals involved (telling someone to stop their behavior)
• Distraction: Creating a diversion to interrupt the situation (asking for directions, spilling a drink)
• Delegation: Seeking help from others (calling the police, alerting an authority figure)
• Delay: Checking in with the individuals involved after the situation has ended to offer support and resources

Safety Considerations and Communication Strategies

• Bystanders should assess their own safety and the potential risks before intervening in a situation
• Effective communication strategies for bystander intervention:
  • Using "I" statements
  • Maintaining a calm and assertive tone
  • Avoiding aggressive or confrontational language
• Bystanders should be aware of their own biases and avoid making assumptions about the individuals involved or the situation
• In cases of imminent danger or violence, bystanders should prioritize their own safety and seek help from law enforcement or emergency services

Peer Support for Violence Prevention

Benefits and Impact of Peer Support

• Peer support involves providing emotional, informational, and practical assistance to individuals experiencing challenges or difficulties
• Peer support can help prevent violence by:
  • Promoting healthy relationships
  • Challenging harmful attitudes and behaviors
  • Providing alternatives to aggression
• Peer educators and mentors can serve as positive role models and influence social norms within their communities
• Peer-led violence prevention programs have been shown to be effective in reducing attitudes and behaviors that contribute to violence, particularly among youth and young adults

Skill Development and Social Connection

• Peer support can help individuals develop essential social and emotional skills for preventing violence:
  • Empathy
  • Communication
  • Conflict resolution
• Peer support networks provide a sense of belonging and connection, reducing feelings of isolation and alienation that may contribute to violent behavior

Providing Peer Support and Referrals

Active Listening and Recognizing Warning Signs

• Active listening skills are essential for providing effective peer support:
  • Paying attention
  • Showing empathy
  • Avoiding judgment
• Peer supporters should be knowledgeable about warning signs and risk factors for violence:
  • History of aggression
  • Substance abuse
  • Mental health issues

Referral Resources and Maintaining Boundaries

• Peer supporters should be familiar with campus and community resources for individuals at risk of violence:
  • Counseling services
  • Crisis hotlines
  • Victim advocacy organizations
• Peer supporters should maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality when providing support, while also recognizing when a situation requires professional intervention
• Peer supporters should be trained in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques to respond effectively to individuals who may be agitated or aggressive

Self-Care and Reporting Requirements

• Peer supporters should engage in self-care practices to manage their own stress and emotional reactions when providing support to others
• Peer supporters should be aware of mandatory reporting requirements and procedures for situations involving imminent danger or harm to self or others