Question

Based on what you’ve learned about bystander intervention and diffusion of responsibility, what actions could you take to increase the likelihood that someone would help you in an emergency that happens in front of a large crowd? What obstacles to helping could persist?

Answer 1

The term Bystander Effect or Bystander Apathy, was coined by social psychologists John Darley and Bibb Latane. The infamous murder of Kitty Genovese could be said to have stimulated their interest in why no one came to Kitty's aid despite her pleas for help. The bystander effect appears to provide a plausible explanation. It has been observed that in emergency situations, we are less likely to help the victim when we are amidst a group of several other people. Whereas, if there are very few people around or if we are alone, we are more likely to go ahead to help the victim. The reason being - there is a diffusion of responsibility. We incorrectly assume that the others will help. On the other hand, when one person from amidst the crowd goes ahead to help the victim, the social norm changes and we might also rush to help. Hence, it takes one man to change the norm and bring the others to help the one in need. Hence, if we are to ever be in an emergency, we should make direct eye-contact with one person and appeal for help, rather than making a general appeal. If that one person comes to our help, the rest are more likely to follow suit.