Lesson Plan: The Bystander Effect

Objectives:

Students will:

• Learn how the killing of Kitty Genovese in 1964 gave rise to the concept of the bystander effect, and how newly uncovered facts have called into question the original narrative that surrounded the case.
• Explore how social psychologists used experimental research to test the theory of the bystander effect.
• Discuss how the bystander effect can be used to explain why viewers of violent online videos don’t report what they witness, and how knowledge of the bystander effect might be used to develop solutions to this problem.

Essential Questions:

• How did the Kitty Genovese case inspire Darley and Latane to develop the theory of the bystander effect?
• How did Darley and Latane design their experiment? What did it reveal?
• What newly uncovered facts have challenged the established narrative surrounding the Kitty Genovese case?
• How did Facebook respond to digital bystanders making and watching violent videos on its platform?

Additional Resources:

• Transcript for “The Modern Bystander Effect” (Retro Report)
• “What the Kitty Genovese Killing Can Teach Today’s Digital Bystanders” (Retro Report)
• Audio Interview: “The ‘Bystander Effect’ in The Digital Age” | WNYC)

Standards

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies

• D2.Psy.9.9-12. Describe how biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors influence behavior.

National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula

• Sociocultural Context Domain: Content Standard 2: Social Influence2.2 Describe the effects of others’ presence on individuals’ behavior.

AP Psychology

• Topic 9.I.1: Bystander Effect
  Skill 1.B: Explain behavior in authentic context.