Should we turn a deaf ear or take responsibility? The bystander effect in helping behavior of young children
International Journal of Behavioral Development
Published online on February 28, 2026
Abstract
International Journal of Behavioral Development, Ahead of Print.
The bystander effect is well-documented in adults, but its developmental origins and underlying mechanisms in young children remain unclear. This study examined how bystander characteristics influence 5-year-olds’ prosocial decisions through three ...
The bystander effect is well-documented in adults, but its developmental origins and underlying mechanisms in young children remain unclear. This study examined how bystander characteristics influence 5-year-olds’ prosocial decisions through three ...