Question 1

Why don't people help in emergencies?

Catherine A. Sanderson · Accepted Answer

Great question!  There are three general reasons that inhibit people from helping.  First, in some cases, emergencies are ambiguous - we see something, but we don't know exactly what's going on (is that harmless flirting or serious sexual misconduct? is that person just drunk, or unconscious?).  People are much less likely to help when they are uncertain about what's going on because they don't want to look stupid or feel embarrassed.  Second, even when people recognize that what they are seeing is problematic, in group settings they may assume that someone else will step up, so they don't need to do so (the classic "bystander effect").  Finally, and most commonly, people fear the consequences of helping - either to their personal safety, professional opportunities, or the social costs.  I describe all of these factors in some detail in my book (The Bystander Effect), for those who want to learn more!

Question 2

Hi Catherine, how can we teach moral courage to children?

Catherine A. Sanderson · Accepted Answer

What an important question!  First, it helps to have seen moral courage in action. Many of the civil rights activists who participated in marches and sit-ins in the southern United States in the 1960s had parents who displayed moral courage and civic engagement, as did many of the Germans who rescued Jews during the Holocaust. Watching people you look up to show moral courage can inspire you to do the same.

A budding moral rebel also needs to feel empathy, imagining the world from someone else's perspective. Spending time with and really getting to know people from different backgrounds helps. White high school students who had more contact with people from different ethnic groups -- in their neighborhood, at school and on sports teams -- have higher levels of empathy and see people from different minority groups in more positive ways. These same students are more likely to report taking some action if a classmate uses an ethnic slur, such as by directly challenging that person, supporting the victim or telling a teacher. People who are more empathetic are also more likely to defend someone who is being bullied.

Finally, moral rebels need particular skills and practice using them. One study found that teenagers who held their own in an argument with their mother, using reasoned arguments instead of whining, pressure or insults, were the most resistant to peer pressure to use drugs or drink alcohol later on. Why? People who have practiced making effective arguments and sticking with them under pressure are better able to use these same techniques with their peers.

All of these findings point to something very important!  It is possible to develop the ability to stand up to social pressure, and for parents and teachers to help instill these traits in children. In other words, anyone can learn to be a moral rebel.

Question 3

Is it particular personality traits that cause us not to want to get involved?

Catherine A. Sanderson · Accepted Answer

Well, sadly, there is more research on the reverse - since most people don't want to get involved! But the good news is that some people do have particular traits that push them to get involved.  Psychologists like me describe those who are willing to defend their principles in the face of potentially negative social consequences such as disapproval, ostracism and career setbacks as "moral rebels."  Moral rebels tend to feel good about themselves, are less socially inhibited, and are high in empathy.

Question 4

What is the bystander effect?

Catherine A. Sanderson · Accepted Answer

The bystander effect describes the common tendency for a person's likelihood of receiving help in an emergency to be inversely related to the number of people present in that situation.  Why?  In a group setting, each individual person may assume that others will do something and therefore they don’t need to step up (which psychologists describe as a “diffusion of responsibility.”

Question 5

Dear Catherine, do you have resources on how to respond to racial microaggressions as a bystander or ally? Thank you

Catherine A. Sanderson · Accepted Answer

Great question!  I actually wrote a piece describing specific steps people can use to step up to bad behavior of all types - including racial microaggressions - for the Greater Good Magazine. Here's a link:  https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_tips_for_speaking_up_against_bad_behavior!

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