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

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  • Hanna Fromell
  • Daniele Nosenzo
  • Trudy Owens
  • Fabio Tufano

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 and social norms.

Suggested Citation

  • Hanna Fromell & Daniele Nosenzo & Trudy Owens & Fabio Tufano, 2019. "Are Victims Truly Worse Off in the Presence of Bystanders? Revisiting the Bystander Effect," Revue économique, Presses de Sciences-Po, vol. 70(6), pages 927-943.
    • Handle: RePEc:cai:recosp:reco_706_0927
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    Cited by:

    1. Campos-Mercade, Pol, 2021. "The volunteer’s dilemma explains the bystander effect," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 186(C), pages 646-661.
    2. Pol Campos-Mercade, 2020. "When are groups less moral than individuals?," CEBI working paper series 20-26, University of Copenhagen. Department of Economics. The Center for Economic Behavior and Inequality (CEBI).
    3. Campos-Mercade, Pol, 2022. "When are groups less moral than individuals?," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 20-36.
    4. Marie Claire Villeval, 2019. "Comportements (non) éthiques et stratégies morales," Revue économique, Presses de Sciences-Po, vol. 70(6), pages 1021-1046.
    5. 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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