Situational factors
What Situational factors means in Psychology GCSE, as defined for Pearson Edexcel.
Definitions of Situational factors
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain Situational factors in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: Pearson Edexcel
Features of the environment and context of the emergency, such as diffusion of responsibility, ambiguity and the number of people present, which affect whether a bystander will help.
Factors that involve the environment or context, such as proximity to the authority figure, the presence of uniform, and the location.
Topics that use Situational factors
- Social influence (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
Related terms
- Authoritarian personality
- Bystander effect
- Collective behaviour
- Conformity
- Deindividuation
- Diffusion of responsibility
- Obedience
- Personal factors
Using Situational factors in the exam
Check the command word and mark scheme for your exact question. After comparing your explanation with the reference, use the term in an answer on the linked topic. This practice does not predict an exam mark.
Practise Psychology questions
Create a free account to answer exam-style questions on this topic and get feedback on your answers.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge