The Bystander Effect

When someone is in need, would a group of strangers help? Turns out, the bystander effect explains how strangers in the presence of others discourages individuals from intervening in a crisis. There is a direct correlation that points to how the greater the number of bystanders, the less likely it is for any one of them to provide help. 

Psychologists Bibb Latané and John Darley coined this concept after 28-year-old woman Kitty Genovese was stabbed multiple times outside of her apartment. She died because no neighbors stepped in and called the police or an ambulance. The bystander effect can be explained by two different concepts: diffusion of responsibility and social influence.

Diffusion of responsibility explains that there is less personal and individual responsibility when there are more people around. Social influence indicates that people look at what others are doing to determine how or whether they should act. 

It’s important to understand the bystander effect to fight against it and act when strangers are in a crisis. Together, we can form a world where all people can get help when they need it, even when it seems like others are not stepping up.