Hard Wires: The Neuropsychology of Speaking Up
This article is written by international whistleblower expert, advocate, and panelist at National Whistleblower Day, Mark Worth. The article, originally published on Whistleblower Network News, discusses the psychology behind blowing the whistle.
National Whistleblower Day 2021 will celebrate whistleblowers all around the world and feature a panel discussion about life after whistleblowing, with whistleblowers discussing the aftermath of their disclosures. RSVP for National Whistleblower Day 2021 here!
Now that whistleblowing has become an everyday happening, more attention is turning to figuring out why only some people speak up while most others don’t.
Amherst College psychology Professor Catherine Sanderson began delving into the question after a tragedy that occurred at her son’s university. For nearly 20 hours, a group of students stood over a drunken student who had fallen and hit his head. By the time someone called for help, it was too late. Why did this group of people remain idle and watch their friend die?
. . .
[Through her research Sanderson uncovered the “Bystander Effect”.] Our neurological systems are so firmly biased against whistleblower-type behavior, says Sanderson, that taking action can cause feelings of rejection so intense that they can feel like physical pain. This is especially strong among people who are particularly worried about fitting in and fear being ostracized.
It is little wonder that individual employees — especially those who work in large companies or organizations — say nothing when they witness crime or corruption. Sanderson estimates only 5–10 percent of people have the capacity to overcome social pressures and be “moral rebels”: people who have a high level of self esteem and a strong belief that their actions will make a difference in the world.
Sanderson’s findings also help explain the retaliation and rejection that whistleblowers experience in a vast majority of cases. Their behavior simply doesn’t compute, and even family members and close friends cannot comprehend doing the same thing. They cannot understand why someone would blow the whistle because their brains tell them it’s not normal.
Through her research, Sanderson found that people often believe they would take swift action when presented with the opportunity. In their private thoughts, people may tell themselves they would stand up and do the right thing. When a real-life opportunity actually arrives, however, most people remain bystanders[.]
Join the National Whistleblower Center for National Whistleblower Day to hear more from Mark Worth, and to have a front-row seat to the intriguing real-life stories of the unique individuals who overcame the Bystander Effect and risked it all to blow the whistle.
