USING THE BYSTANDER

APPROACH TO COUNTER INCIVILITY

ON CAMPUS

Dr. Dan Bureau University of Memphis

MIMSAC, Friday May 13, 2011

PURPOSE The purpose of this session is to

educate participants on the bystander framework, examine scenarios in which this approach might be useful, and explore possible approaches of its enactment.

Attendees will be able to identify the stages of bystander framework.

Attendees will be able to explain actions used to successfully complete each stage of the bystander framework.

Attendees will be able to demonstrate their understanding of how to apply bystander model tactics.

Dante Alighieri (Italian Author and Poet. Considered one of the greatest poets in all literature, 1265-1321)

“THE HOTTEST PLACES IN HELL ARE RESERVED FOR THOSE WHO IN TIMES OF GREAT MORAL CRISES MAINTAIN THEIR NEUTRALITY”

WE’RE COMMITTED TO STUDENTS, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY; OF COURSE WE’LL INTERVENE

Situational ambiguity Perceived cost Diffusion of responsibility Similarity Mood Gender Attributions of cause of need Social norms

http://www.uwlax.edu/faculty/cerbin/ls/PSY%20Research%20Lesson%20Model%20of%20Bystander%20Intervention.htm

BYSTANDER FRAMEWORK STAGES TOWARD ACTION

Notice the behavior Interpret the behavior as a problem Feel responsibility to take action Know what to do Possess the capacity to act Act

STAGE 1: NOTICING THE BEHAVIOR

Assume that incivility occurs; examine where it is most profound

Consider how incivility can occur anywhere and anytime; who are your most likely culprits? Who might you not expect?

Have a clear understanding of institutional and/or personal definitions of civility and therefore the lack of civility

What is the institutional culture like?

STAGE 2: INTERPRETING THEBEHAVIORS AS A PROBLEM

Know the legal and policy definitions Understand the environment

What is and is not accepted by others in the context

When is incivility ever taken out of context?

Learn historical interpretations of the actions as a problem

Voluntary; coercion; peer influence Assumptions about incivility as

something that one does a “little” or “a lot”

Are the little things worth tackling?

STAGE 3: FEEL RESPONSIBILITYFOR TAKING ACTION Consider your threshold for intervention Consider how others have intervened and

when Determine if someone else is best poised

to address issue Challenge the social norms about the

behavior Address the political nuances; what can

you tackle? How has incivility impacted you? How

does that influence your sense of responsibility?

STAGE 4: KNOW WHAT TO DO What are the messages sent by senior

leadership regarding intervening? What is within your purview given your level

of experience? Position on the hierarchy? How have you and others been trained to

intervene? What are the skills you have? Need?

Who are your allies? In and outside of institution?

What does the policy say? What does the law say? Handbook? Crisis Management Plan?

STAGE 5: POSSESSING THECAPACITY TO ACT Have the knowledge to recognize, skills to

act, demeanor to confront, and patience in the follow-through

Bystander intervention likely doesn’t stop with the act of intervening.

Commit the personnel and fiscal resources to helping those you influence have capacity

Attend to the nuances of your position and the institution; overstep with caution but do not turn the cheek

If you have leadership support for intervention, then common sense may be enough

TO CONSIDER… In which stage is my institution in

relation to civility? In which of the key action areas are we

doing well? In which are we lacking? What would be needed to move the

institution forward?

BYSTANDER FRAMEWORK STAGES TOWARD ACTION

Notice the behavior Interpret the behavior as a problem Feel responsibility to take action Know what to do Possess the capacity to act Act