GATEKEEPER'S REPORTING OF AT-RISK PERSONS: EXPLORING HOW PROS AND CONS CONSIDERATIONS INFLUENCE REPORTING

Abstract

There is sparse literature on the phenomenon where individuals fail to report a friend who is exhibiting extreme, deviant behaviours (e.g., hate crime, problem gambling). Based on previous research suggesting that the evaluation of pros and cons information operate at two different levels, a framework that distinguishes one’s consideration of pros and cons in predicting reporting intention is presented and tested. Studies 1 and 2 provided validation for the framework by showing that the model mediates the effects of both proximal and distal factors on one’s intention to report deviant behaviour. Studies 3 and 4 demonstrated the utility of the model. Study 3 demonstrated that it helps distinguish between the effects of internal and external motivations towards responding to racism on the reporting of a potential racial hate crime. Study 4 showed that the model could explain differences in reporting targets of different social distance (e.g., a close friend vs. acquaintance). The results reveal the importance of distinguishing “pros” and “cons” consideration in understanding and investigating one’s intention to report deviant behaviours. Limitations and implications of the study is also discussed.