Who Stands Up? Social psychological perspectives of bias-based bullying among LGBTQ+ youth: The role of bystanders

This chapter will draw on social psychological theories of intergroup dynamics and bystander intervention, and recent empirical findings, to provide new insights into the incidence and prevention of LGBTQ+ bullying among young people. Examining bystanders’ willingness to intervene is key to understanding who supports or stops bullying. The chapter covers recent studies on bias-based bullying and cyberbullying, and the key role of bystanders in influencing the outcome of bullying incidents. It highlights how intergroup factors like social identity and intergroup contact influence bystanders’ decisions to intervene and how bystanders’ perceptions of group membership and intergroup biases can shape their responses, either motivating or inhibiting them from taking action. Overall, it aims to improve knowledge on this topic and to inform strategies that boost bystander involvement in reducing bias-based bullying.