CBYSTANDER

EFFECTMaddy Pasche

What is it?

• social psychological phenomenon that refers to cases in which individuals do not offer any means of help to a victim when other people are present (Cherry, 2015)

Kitty Genovese• Murdered outside of her apartment in NYC while bystanders observed and did

nothing to stop the situation or call the police (Getlen, 2014)

() (Getlen, 2014)

Why does it exist?• Psychologists say the two main factors for the Bystander Effect are….

• Diffusion of responsibility: there are other observers, individuals do not feel as much pressure to take action, since the responsibility to take action is thought to be shared among all of those present (Cherry, 2015)

• Behave in correct and socially acceptable ways, When other observers fail to react, individuals often take this as a signal that a response is not needed or not appropriate. Other researchers have found that onlookers are less likely to intervene if the situation is ambiguous (Cherry, 2015)

Depends on the situation

•Bystanders are less likely to help when…• Think they will be regarded as foolish

• Perceive others as not helping for a good reason

• Believe others will help instead

• Too much time/involvement

(Cherry, 2015)