Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Bystander Action Coils: Moving Beyond the Situational Model

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Toward the Next Generation of Bystander Prevention of Sexual and Relationship Violence

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Criminology ((BRIEFSCRIMINOL))

Abstract

Research on bystander action often looks at different discrete variables that might hinder or promote stepping up to help someone in danger. How then do we assemble these pieces into a broader model that explains bystander behavior? This Chapter begins with the most well-known model of bystander intervention, the Situational Model of Latané and Darley and explores other frameworks developed since then. These broader models have limitations for understanding the unique context of interpersonal violence, especially sexual and relationship violence. Thus, the chapter builds a revised model of bystander action—Bystander Action Coils. This framework pays attention to developing new helping scripts in situations of interpersonal violence, attending to the relational context of bystander action in these circumstances, looks at broader community and cultural factors that may influence bystander behavior, and highlights the importance of understanding more about the consequences of different bystander actions. Details of this revised model are described.

That was my first encounter with [sexual assault] and I felt like a terrible person and I didn’t umm I don’t know I just didn’t know how to handle the situation…

—College student describing being a bystander to an instance of sexual violence

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Avery, D. R., Richeson, J. A., Hebl, M. R., & Ambady, N. (2009). It does not have to be uncomfortable: The role of behavioral scripts in black–white interracial interactions. Journal of Applied Psychology, 94, 1382–1393.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Banyard, V. L. (2008). Measurement and correlates of pro-social bystander behavior: The case of interpersonal violence. Violence and Victims, 23, 85–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Banyard, V. L. (2011). Who will help prevent sexual violence: Creating an ecological model of bystander intervention. Psychology of Violence, 1, 216–229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Banyard, V. L. (2013). Go big or go home: Reaching for a more integrated view of violence prevention. (Peer reviewed commentary). Psychology of Violence, 3, 115–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Banyard, V. L., & Moynihan, M. M. (2011). Variation in bystander behavior related to sexual and intimate partner violence prevention: Correlates in a sample of college students. Psychology of Violence, 1, 287–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Banyard, V. L., Moynihan, M. M., Walsh, W. A., Cohn, E. S., & Ward, S. K. (2010). Friends of survivors: The community impact of unwanted sexual experiences. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 25, 242–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, D. J., Balicer, R. D., Blodgett, D., Fews, A. L., Parker, C. L., & Links, J. M. (2005). The application of the Haddon matrix to public health readiness and response planning. Environmental Health Perspectives, 113, 561–566.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, S., Banyard, V. L., & Garnhart, L. (2014). To act or not to act, that is the question? Barriers and facilitators of bystander intervention. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 29, 476–496.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biglan, A., Flay, B. R., Embry, D. D., & Sandler, I. N. (2012). The critical role of nurturing environments for promoting human well-being. American Psychologist, 67, 257–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowen, L. K., Gwiasda, V., & Brown, M. M. (2004). Engaging community residents to prevent violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 19, 356–367.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, A., & Messman-Moore, T. L. (2010). Personal and perceived peer attitudes supporting sexual aggression as predictors of male college students’ willingness to intervene against sexual aggression. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 25, 503–518.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, A., Banyard, V. L., & Moynihan, M. M. (in press). The impact of perceived peer norms and gender, age, and race on bystander intentions and behaviors related to sexual violence. Psychology of Women Quarterly.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burn, S. M. (2009). A situational model of sexual assault prevention through bystander intervention. Sex Roles, 60, 779–792.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buzawa, E. S., & Austin, T. (1993). Determining police response to domestic violence victims. The American Behavioral Scientist, 36, 610–623.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caravita, S. C. S., Gini, G., & Pozzoli, T. (2012). Main and moderated effects of moral cognition and status on bullying and defending. Aggressive Behavior, 38, 456–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carlo, G., Fabes, R. A., Laible, D., & Kupanoff, K. (1999). Early adolescence and prosocial/moral behavior II: The role of social and contextual influences. Journal of Early Adolescence, 19, 133–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casey, E. A., & Lindhorst, T. P. (2009). Toward a multi-level, ecological approach to the primary prevention of sexual assault: Prevention in peer and community contexts. Trauma, Violence, and Abuse, 10, 91–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chan, S. (2007). “Gray rape”: A new form of date rape? The New York Times, 22 Oct 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaudoir, S. R., & Fisher, J. D. (2010). The disclosure process model: Understanding disclosure decision making and postdisclosure outcomes among people living with a concealable stigmatized identity. Psychological Bulletin, 136, 236–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dovidio, J. F., Piliavin, J. A., Gaertner, S. L., Schroeder, D. A., & Clark, R. D. (1991). The arousal: Cost-reward model and the process of intervention: A review of the evidence. Prosocial behavior: Review of personality and social psychology, 12, 86–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., Taylor, R. D., & Schellinger, K. B. (2011). The impact of enhancing students’ social and emotional learning: A meta-analysis of school-based universal interventions. Child Development, 82, 405–432.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eckstein, R., Moynihan, M. M. Banyard, V. L. & Plante, E. G. (2014). Bringing in the bystander: A prevention workshop for establishing a community of responsibility. Facilitator’s Guide. Durham, NH: University of New Hampshire.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, K. & Banyard, V. (2014). All helping is not equal: Rural young adults speak about sense of community and bystanders to relationship abuse. Manuscript in preparation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, K., Mattingly, M. J., Dixon. K. J., & Banyard, V. L. (2014). Community matters: Intimate partner violence among young adults. American Journal of Community Psychology , 53, 198–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, K., Mattingly, M. J., Dixon. K. J., & Banyard, V. L. (2014). Community matters: Intimate partner violence among young adults. American Journal of Community Psychology, 53, 198–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Espelage, D., Green, H., & Polanin, J. (2012). Willingness to intervene in bullying episodes among middle school students: Individual and peer-group influences. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 32, 776–801.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fabiano, P. M., Perkins, H. W., Berkowitz, A., Linkenbach, J., & Stark, C. (2003). Engaging men as social justice allies in ending violence against women: Evidence for a social norms approach. Journal of American College Health, 52, 105–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, P., Greitemeyer, T., Pollozek, F., & Frey, D. (2006). The unresponsive bystander: Are bystanders more responsive in dangerous emergencies? European Journal of Social Psychology, 36, 267–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, P., Krueger, J. I., Greitemeyer, T., Vogrincic, C., Kastenmuller, A., & Frey, D. (2011). The bystander-effect: A meta-analytic review on bystander intervention in dangerous and non-dangerous emergencies. Psychological Bulletin, 132, 517–537.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fledderjohann, J., & Johnson, D. R. (2012). What predicts the actions taken toward observed child neglect? The influence of community context and bystander characteristics. Social Science Quarterly, 93, 1030–1052.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flood, M., & Pease, B. (2009). Factors influencing attitudes to violence against women. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 10, 125–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frainuk, R., Seefelt, J. L., & Vandello, J. A. (2008). Prevalence of rape myths in headlines and their effects on attitudes toward rape. Sex Roles, 58, 790–801.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, L. A., & Epstein, D. (2011). The justice system response to domestic violence. In M. P. Koss, J. W. White, & A. E. Kazdin (Eds.), Violence against women and children (Vol. 2, pp. 215–235)., Navigating solutions Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • GreenDot, Etc. (2015). An overview of the Green Dot strategy. http://www.calcasa.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Curriculum-Summary.pdf. Accessed from 4 Mar 2015.

  • Hamby, S., & Grych, J. (2013). The web of violence: Exploring connections among different forms of interpersonal violence and abuse. The Netherlands: Springer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Hamby, S., Weber, M., Grych, J. & Banyard, V. (2015). What difference do bystanders make? The association of victim outcomes with bystander involvement in a community sample.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hart, T. C., & Miethe, T. D. (2008). Exploring bystander presence and intervention in nonfatal violent victimization: When does helping really help? Violence and Victims, 23, 637–651.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hektner, J. M., & Swenson, C. A. (2012). Links from teacher beliefs to peer victimization and bystander intervention: Tests of mediating processes. Journal of Early Adolescence, 32, 516–536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Janson, G. R., & Hazler, R. J. (2004). Trauma reactions of bystanders and victims to repetitive abuse experiences. Violence and Victims, 19, 239–255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laner, M. R., Benin, M. H., & Ventrone, N. A. (2001). Bystander attitudes toward victims of violence: Who’s worth helping? Deviant Behavior, 22, 23–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Latané, B., & Darley, J. M. (1970). The unresponsive bystander: Why doesn’t he help?. New York, NY: Appleton-Century-Crofts.

    Google Scholar 

  • Latta, R. E., & Goodman, L. A. (2011). Intervening in partner violence against women: A grounded theory exploration of informal network members’ experiences. The Counseling Psychologist, 39, 973–1023.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levine, M., & Thompson, K. (2004). Identity, place, and bystander intervention: Social categories and helping after natural disasters. The Journal of Social Psychology, 144, 229–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lippy, C., & DeGue, S. (2015). Exploring alcohol policy approaches to prevent sexual violence perpetration. Trauma, Violence, & Abus. Published online first.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGregor, J. (2005). Is it rape? On acquaintance rape and taking women’s consent seriously. Burlington, VT: Ashgate Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • McMahon, S., & Banyard, V. L. (2012). When can I help? A conceptual framework for the prevention of sexual violence through bystander intervention. Trauma, Violence, and Abuse, 13, 3–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McMahon, S., Banyard, V. & McMahon, S. (2015). Incoming college students’ bystander behaviors to prevent sexual violence. Journal of College Student Development, 56, 488–493.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicksa, S. C. (2014). Bystander’s willingness to report theft, physical assault, and sexual assault: The impact of gender, anonymity, and relationship with the offender. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 29, 217–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osswald, S., Greitemeyer, T., Fischer, P., & Frey, D. (2010). What is moral courage? Definition, explication, and classification of a complex construct. In C. L. Pury & S. J. Lopez (Eds.), The psychology of courage: Modern research on an ancient virtue (pp. 149–164). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Peer Solutions. (2010). Stand & serve primary prevention evidence based research. Retrieved from http://www.peersolutions.org/stand-and-serve

  • Pinchevsky, G. M., & Wright, E. M. (2012). The impact of neighborhoods on intimate partner violence and victimization. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 13(2), 112–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Planty, M. (2002). Third-party involvement in violent crime, 1993–1999. Bureau of justice statistics special report. Washington, D.C. U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ189100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polanin, J. R., Espelage, D. L., & Pigott, T. D. (2012). A meta-analysis of school-based bullying prevention programs’ effects on bystander intervention behavior. School Psychology Review, 41, 47–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pozzoli, T., & Gini, G. (2010). Active defending and passive bystanding behavior in bullying: The role of personal characteristics and perceived peer pressure. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 38, 815–827.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pozzoli, T., & Gini, G. (2012). Why do bystanders of bullying help or not? A multidimensional model. Journal of Early Adolescence, 33, 315–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pozzoli, T., & Gini, G. (2013). Friend similarity in attitudes toward bullying and sense of responsibility to intervene. Social Influence, 8, 161–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pozzoli, T., Ang, R. P., & Gini, G. (2012). Bystanders’ reactions to bullying: A cross-cultural analysis of personal correlates among Italian and Singaporean students. Social Development, 21, 686–703.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rigby, K., & Johnson, B. (2006). Expressed readiness of Australian schoolchildren to act as bystanders in support of children who are being bullied. Educational Psychology, 26, 425–440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, E. M. (2002). Diffusion of preventive innovations. Addictive Behaviors, 27, 989–993.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Runyan, C. W. (1998). Using the Haddon matrix: Introducing the third dimension. Injury Prevention, 4, 302–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Runyan, C. W. (2003). Introduction: Back to the future—revisiting Haddon’s conceptualization of injury epidemiology and prevention. Epidemiologic Reviews, 25, 60–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, C., Anastario, M., & DaCunha, A. (2006). Changing coverage of domestic violence murders: A longitudinal experiment in participatory communication. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 21, 209–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shernock, S. (2005). Third party roles in intimate partner violence incidents and their effects on police response in a statewide rural jurisdiction. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, 20, 22–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sulkowski, M. L. (2011). An investigation of students’ willingness to report threats of violence in campus communities. Psychology of Violence, 1, 53–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thornberg, R., & Jungert, T. (2013). Bystander behavior in bullying situations: Basic moral sensitivity, moral disengagement and defender self-efficacy. Journal of Adolescence, 36, 475–483.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ullman, S. (2010). Talking about sexual assault: Society’s response to survivors. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • White, C. H., & Malkowski, J. (2014). Communicative challenges of bystander intervention: Impact of goals and message design logic on strategies college students use to intervene in drinking situations. Health Communication, 29, 93–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winerip, M. (2014). Stepping up to stop sexual assault. New York Times Education Life, 9 Feb 2014.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology and Prevention Innovations Research Center, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA

    Victoria L. Banyard

Authors
  1. Victoria L. Banyard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Victoria L. Banyard .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Banyard, V.L. (2015). Bystander Action Coils: Moving Beyond the Situational Model. In: Toward the Next Generation of Bystander Prevention of Sexual and Relationship Violence. SpringerBriefs in Criminology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23171-6_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation