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Social norm violation and bystanders: The effect of different norm violations and bystander presence on perpetrators mind-sets

Molenwijk, C.D. (2017) Social norm violation and bystanders: The effect of different norm violations and bystander presence on perpetrators mind-sets.

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Abstract:How are perpetrators influenced by bystanders when committing different types of norm violation? Two online vignette studies were implemented to analyse this. We expected generally more positive attitudes towards norm violation through more positive perceptions towards norm violation, less negative affect, and more power affordance in the presence of multiple versus one bystander(s), for prosocial versus selfish norm violation and in the presence of a passive high status bystander versus a passive low status bystander. We also argue for a strengthened effect for multiple or high status bystanders and prosocial norm violation. In study 1, 136 students had to imagine themselves as a perpetrator committing a prosocial- or selfish norm violation in the perceived presence of one or multiple bystanders. In line with expectations, the online questionnaire results indicated that people put more blame onto someone else when committing selfish norm violation. They surprisingly also felt more disapproval about prosocial norm violation in the presence of multiple bystanders and felt more negative emotions towards prosocial norm violation in the presence of one bystander. The second study, consisting of 116 students, unexpectedly yielded no significant effects for bystander status and norm violation types on perpetrators mind-sets.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:http://purl.utwente.nl/essays/73172
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