Evaluate the role of personal responsibility in bystander behavior based on Piliavin et al.'s study.

Title: The Role of Personal Responsibility in Bystander Behavior: An Evaluation of Piliavin et al.'s Study

Introduction
Bystander behavior refers to the phenomenon where individuals witness an emergency situation but fail to intervene to help the victim. One of the key factors influencing bystander behavior is personal responsibility - the perceived obligation of individuals to take action in a given situation. This essay will evaluate the role of personal responsibility in bystander behavior, with a specific focus on Piliavin et al.'s seminal study on the topic.

Overview of Piliavin et al.'s Study
Piliavin et al. (1969) conducted a classic field experiment to investigate the role of personal responsibility in bystander intervention. The study involved staged emergencies in New York City subway trains, where the researchers observed how bystanders reacted to a victim in need of help. The study manipulated the presence of personal responsibility by having the victim either appear to be drunk (low-responsibility condition) or having a cane and appearing ill (high-responsibility condition).

Key Findings of Piliavin et al.'s Study
Piliavin et al. found that bystanders were more likely to help in the high-responsibility condition compared to the low-responsibility condition. Specifically, in the high-responsibility condition, 95% of bystanders offered assistance, while in the low-responsibility condition, only 50% helped. This demonstrates the significant impact of personal responsibility on bystander behavior.

Evaluation of the Role of Personal Responsibility in Bystander Behavior
1. Diffusion of Responsibility: Piliavin et al.'s study supports the diffusion of responsibility theory, which suggests that individuals are less likely to help in a group setting because they assume that someone else will take responsibility. In the high-responsibility condition, where the victim's need for help was clear, bystanders were more likely to overcome diffusion of responsibility and take action.

2. Social Norms: Personal responsibility is also influenced by social norms that dictate how individuals should behave in a given situation. In the high-responsibility condition, the presence of a victim in need may have activated a social norm of helping, leading bystanders to feel a stronger sense of personal responsibility.

3. Empathy and Identification: Personal responsibility may also be influenced by emotional factors such as empathy and identification with the victim. In the high-responsibility condition, bystanders may have felt more empathy towards the victim, leading to a greater sense of personal responsibility to help.

4. Practical Implications: Understanding the role of personal responsibility in bystander behavior has practical implications for interventions aimed at increasing helping behavior in emergency situations. By highlighting the importance of personal responsibility and reducing diffusion of responsibility, interventions can encourage individuals to take action and help those in need.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Piliavin et al.'s study provides valuable insights into the role of personal responsibility in bystander behavior. The study demonstrates that individuals are more likely to help when they perceive a greater level of personal responsibility towards the victim. By understanding the factors that influence personal responsibility, we can develop strategies to promote helping behavior and create a more supportive and compassionate society.