The Role of Exposure to Depictions of Bystander Intervention on Crime Dramas and Reality Dating Television on Bystander Intervention Behavior

Sexual violence is a rampant problem on college campuses. One of the most popular ways to curb this issue in universities is bystander intervention training. Bystander intervention behavior involves identifying a problem and acting as a third party to de-escalate a situation. In this study, we explore how media can play a role in bystander intervention behavior, specifically where sex-related situations involving alcohol. The literature suggests that both crime dramas and reality dating television shows can influence sex- and relationship-related behaviors and attitudes. Based on that, we investigate if this influence extends to bystander intervention behavior. Using an integrative model of behavioral prediction framework, we hypothesized that exposure to crime drama depictions of bystander behavior, exposure to reality dating television shows depictions of bystander behavior, bystander intervention attitudes, bystander intervention efficacy, and bystander intervention norms are all positively associated with bystander intervention behavior, whereas alcohol consumption is negatively associated with the behavior. We tested our hypotheses by conducting an online survey with 195 college students in a large American public university and analyzing the data using hierarchical regression. Indeed, exposure to crime dramas and reality dating shows was positively associated with bystander behavior, as well as efficacy and attitudes. Bystander norms were negatively associated with bystander behavior, and alcohol consumption was not significant. This study builds upon our understanding of the role of media in relation to sexual violence situations, in this case specifically bystander intervention behavior. Future research should explore this connection from a longitudinal and experimental perspective.