Bystander Intervention Scenarios

There are two versions of each scenario. Take five minutes in your group to identify the key difference between version A and version B. The key difference for each scenario could be a factor that influences bystander intervention. However, these are not the only factors—your responses to the scenarios include additional possible factors.

1A.  On a bitterly cold day, an older woman struggles to shovel her car out of its parking spot on a busy street. There are a number of pedestrians on the sidewalk and cars passing by who notice her.

1B.  On a bitterly cold day, a young woman struggles to shovel her car out of its parking spot on a busy street. There are a number of pedestrians on the sidewalk and cars passing by who notice her.

2A.  On a snowy day, a car is traveling along a busy road. The car hits a patch of ice and slides onto the shoulder of the road. Motorists who have been following the driver slow down as they approach the car.

2B. On a snowy day, a car is traveling along a busy road. The driver weaves in and out of the passing lane and accelerates quickly to pass other cars barely missing them. Suddenly the car hits a patch of ice and slides off the road and onto the shoulder. Motorists who have been following the driver slow down as they approach the car.

3A. A bicyclist is riding along a country road several miles from the nearest house. It begins to rain heavily and then hail. The man, who is not dressed for these conditions, looks distressed. After a few minutes a car approaches and slows down as the driver looks at the situation.

3B. A bicyclist is riding along a country road several miles from the nearest house. It begins to rain heavily and then hail. The woman, who is not dressed for these conditions, looks distressed. After a few minutes a car approaches and slows down as the driver looks at the situation.

4A. A teacher is walking across campus carrying a stack of papers between classes. Bending over to pick up his pen he accidentally drops a large stack of papers he was carrying. At that moment a gust of wind blows the papers all over the sidewalk. Students and passersby watch the papers flying around.

4B. A teacher is walking across campus carrying a stack of papers between classes. Bending over to pick up her pen she accidentally drops a large stack of papers she was carrying. At that moment a gust of wind blows the papers all over the sidewalk. Students and passersby watch the papers flying around.

5A. At 1:00 a.m. outside a tavern several men are arguing. Two of the men are shouting loudly at a third man who appears to be backing away from them. The two men move toward the lone man and start waving their arms as he backs up against a wall. A lone pedestrian approaches from up the street and notices the situation.

5B. At 1:00 a.m. outside a tavern several men are arguing. Two of the men are shouting loudly at a third man who appears to be backing away from them. The two men move toward the lone man and start waving their arms as he backs up against a wall. A group of people exiting the tavern notice the situation.

6A. Late at night a man climbs on the railing of a bridge high above a river. He sits on the railing muttering things to himself. A pedestrian walking on the bridge notices the man.

6B. In middle of the day a man climbs on the railing of a bridge high above a river. He sits on the railing muttering things to himself. A crowd begins to gather number and motorists stop on the bridge to watch him.

7A. A large crowd of people outside a theatre are waiting for the box office to open. A man in the crowd stumbles forward and slumps to the ground. A number of onlookers notice him as he lays motionless on the ground.

7B. A pedestrian walking along a deserted street notices a man stumbling and falling to the ground where he lies motionless.