In class, we have been looking at several cases of the bystander effect. The bystander effect is the concept that individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present and the greater the number of bystanders, the less likely it is that one of them will help.
We saw this in several experiments shown in the documentary we watched in class last week. In one experiment students were asked to take a test. During the test, smoke came flooding out from a nearby door. The experiment looked at how the number of people in the room impacted the response. They found that when there was one student in the room they would report the smoke but when there were several students none took action. Similar findings occurred in the study where people with headphones on awaited to hear directions. A recording was then played in their ear and they heard what was someone on the other end calling for help. The study looked at how the number of people listening to the recording impacted how they reacted. Similar to the other study they found that when the person was alone the person got up and looked for help right away. When there were three people on the headphones they all kind of looked around but did not go for help. In both these studies, the idea of responsibility is in play. When people are alone they feel most responsible to take action. In a group setting responsibility is shared. Additionally, once we see one member of the group choose not to take actions it encourages us to do the same thing as well.
The bystander effect has caused some tragic incidents from people having heart attacks in crowds and nobody acting to the murder of Kitty Genevese. These incidents and the power of the effect can be avoided if people know what to do in such situations. One way a victim can make sure they get help is by singling someone out and directly asking for assistance. Often if people notice others are just walking by a situation they will assume the situation is not an emergency. As a bystander a solution is calling people out to help specifically. Saying "you call 911" and point at someone vs "somebody call 911" can save lives. The personal direction gives one person the responsibility to take action and that responsibility is no longer shared.
What are other strategies to help with the effect? Are there instances where the bystander effect is good?
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-overcome-the-bystander-effect-2795559
I agree that the bystander effect has enabled many tragic incidences to occur. If we as a species did not carry this trait of believing that if there are other people present when an indecent occurs, that someone else will take care of it a lot of tragic events may have not been so bad. Many heartbreaking events, such as murders, or even simply a guy at a party who is passed out on the floor with no pulse, could be saved if we all felt some sort of responsibility for it.
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