The purpose of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that passive behavior from individuals in a group will signal that the situation is in fact, not dangerous. An individual is less likely to intervene in a situation if bystanders appear passive or if bystanders are there during the circumstance. When witnessing a situation alone, it has been tested, that these individuals reaction rate seem quicker and that the response rate and interpretation of the emergency happened earlier. Although the response is different and involves more individuals, the reaction rate of both individuals alone and freely interacting groups appeared similar. Latane & Darley (1968) states that if we expose naive subjects to a particular situation, social influence
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The independent variable tested in this study was the number of individuals, confederates, or naïve subjects in a group. Whereas the dependent variable was the length of time the subject remained in the room before leaving to report the smoke. (Latane & Darley, 1968, p.217)
The results were when the individual was alone; they reacted appropriately and very reasonably toward the situation. This started with a distinct startle reaction when smoke appeared, followed by several seconds of indecisive behavior, and then eventually an investigation of the smoke and where it was coming from. These individuals would have another brief moment of indecisiveness before leaving the room and reporting the presence of the smoke. Three fourths of the twenty four participants reported the presence of smoke before the experiment was terminated with a median reaction time of within two …show more content…
Experimenters that were exposed to the room filled with smoke with passive bystanders, remained passive and followed the reactions and the interpretation of the situation from others. The groups of three naïve bystanders also were less likely to report the smoke than subjects who were alone. The experimenters stated that although the predictions were confirmed, there are several outside factors that could have altered the outcome of this study. For example, some individuals could have had fear of fire immediately experiencing state of panic, where others could have not had such a fear and reacted more calmly to the situation at hand. The desire to hide fear is another factor that could have altered the result. Some individuals could have tried to hide fear and used bravery to overshadow the emotions that they were actually experiencing. Subject also explained that they were unsure what the smoke substance was at first, affecting their decision of whether or not the smoke should be deemed dangerous and some even thought to themselves “it must be some sort of an experiment” and stoicly endured the discomfort of the room rather than overreact ( Latane & Darley, 1968, p.
The independent variable tested in this study was the number of individuals, confederates, or naïve subjects in a group. Whereas the dependent variable was the length of time the subject remained in the room before leaving to report the smoke. (Latane & Darley, 1968, p.217)
The results were when the individual was alone; they reacted appropriately and very reasonably toward the situation. This started with a distinct startle reaction when smoke appeared, followed by several seconds of indecisive behavior, and then eventually an investigation of the smoke and where it was coming from. These individuals would have another brief moment of indecisiveness before leaving the room and reporting the presence of the smoke. Three fourths of the twenty four participants reported the presence of smoke before the experiment was terminated with a median reaction time of within two …show more content…
Experimenters that were exposed to the room filled with smoke with passive bystanders, remained passive and followed the reactions and the interpretation of the situation from others. The groups of three naïve bystanders also were less likely to report the smoke than subjects who were alone. The experimenters stated that although the predictions were confirmed, there are several outside factors that could have altered the outcome of this study. For example, some individuals could have had fear of fire immediately experiencing state of panic, where others could have not had such a fear and reacted more calmly to the situation at hand. The desire to hide fear is another factor that could have altered the result. Some individuals could have tried to hide fear and used bravery to overshadow the emotions that they were actually experiencing. Subject also explained that they were unsure what the smoke substance was at first, affecting their decision of whether or not the smoke should be deemed dangerous and some even thought to themselves “it must be some sort of an experiment” and stoicly endured the discomfort of the room rather than overreact ( Latane & Darley, 1968, p.