Abstract

Bystanders represent one major avenue for reducing the incidence and severity of social exclusion, yet little research has examined behavioral measurement of bystander intervention. Utilizing the most common low risk form of exclusion, this study examined how group membership impacts college students’ behavioral response to a peer’s social exclusion through an Internet-based ball tossing game (N = 121). Participants played the game with three other virtual players, in which two of these players excluded the third player. Results demonstrated increased inclusive behavior towards the excluded peer across study conditions. This inclusion was strengthened when the excluded player was in the participant’s in-group. Participants displayed an initial preference for in-group members, although attitudes towards all peers improved after the shared activity. Findings point to the interaction of social norms of inclusion, group membership, and changes in familiarity in determining bystander responses to social exclusion. In low-risk exclusion, group membership maintains an impact but does not provide sufficient motivation to counteract the social norm of inclusivity. The implication of bystander actions for promotion of community and future research are discussed.

摘要

旁观者是减少社交排斥的发生率和严重程度的一种主要途径，但是很少有研究检查旁观者干预的行为测量。本研究利用最常见的低风险排斥形式，通过基于互联网的抛球游戏研究了团体成员如何影响大学生对同伴的社会排斥行为的反应（N = 121）。参与者与其他三名虚拟玩家一起玩游戏，其中两名玩家排除了第三名玩家。结果表明，在整个研究条件下，对被排斥的同伴的包容行为均有所增加。当被排除的球员在参与者的小组中时，这种包容性得到加强。参加者表现出对组内成员的最初偏好，尽管在共享活动后对所有同龄人的态度有所改善。研究结果表明，包容性，团体成员身份和确定旁观者对社会排斥的反应的熟悉度变化之间存在社会规范的相互作用。在低风险排除中，组成员身份会保持影响，但不能提供足够的动机来抵制包容性的社会规范。