Take a look at this short documentary outlining the case of Kitty Genovese, a young woman murdered in the presence of 38 witnesses. The term "bystander effect" was coined after this crime. Then read this
article by Dr. Schwartz about a 2009 case of bystander effect. You may even remember hearing about this
in the news. After taking a look at these cases, respond to the post and discuss what factors you think might help in reversing the bystander effect.
Any other comments are welcome as well. Remember once again, it's easy to think that the people we read about involved in, or witnesses of such heinous acts are simply "evil" and that we would never sit by and allow things to unfold the way they did.
Also, here are
the last guided questions. They aren't due until Monday, but if you're feeling it you can get a jumpstart! (However, part 1 questions are, in fact, due Monday)
Well, would I help someone if I was a bystander? To be honest, it all depends on the situation. If I have to risk my life to help someone I don’t know, I really wouldn’t do it. If the tables were turn I’m sure no one would risk their own life for me either. Don’t we all have cell phones? What’s so hard about calling the police or someone who can help the person without physically becoming a part of the “action”.
ReplyDeleteIt’s really scary to think that you could be attacked during the day and people would stand by and watch, without saying or doing anything to help.
I don’t necessarily think that the people who are witnesses to certain situations are “evil”. I think making it illegal for witnessed crimes to go unreported would probably help in reversing the bystander effect.???
This situation to me is definitely not like the milgram experiment. I would MOST DEFINITELY help someone in a situation like the ones above or any situation for that matter. Something as simple as dialing 911. Really? I don't understand. Little things can help a person in danger. I wouldn't just stand by and let someone be brutally raped or murdered, the bystanders are just as responsible. If it was me in the situation I would want someone to help me. What if it was your family or friend ? I don't think the bystanders are evil but they should not let these acts just happen when it involves saving a life. If witnesses were also held responsible this could possibly reverse the bystander effect.
ReplyDeleteComing from my environment, with the way N.O. is today, whether I'll help someone or not depends on many different factors (Just being honest). A situation like Kitty G's I would have most definitely helped because I wouldn't have to physically intervene or expose my identity to the perpetrator. I could just call the cops from my home. Now let's say I'm walking up the street and a man is beating his wife or two young men are fussing and it look like it can turn into a violent situation, I know I would just mind my business and keep a moving. WHO EVER THAT lives in N.O. and attend W.E. that says they would do other wise is LIEING. (excluding HOLLY Mary mother of god MIZER, WARM HEARTED JANAY T and silly yella )
ReplyDeleteI think the only thing that can really reverse bystandered affect is if you or one of your love ones was once in the situation. It makes it more personal to you and your more likely to intervene whether if its just you are a million people. Also if more people would have the mind frame of " this could happen to me or one of my love ones" it would also help
ReplyDeleteTo reverse this effect couldnt happen over night. one it was take a large number of people to create the movement for people to know that if they speak up they can save someones life. and two, society needs to learn individualism and stop being followers. Those people did help the 15 yr old of kitty because they were afraid of what might happen to them or what people might say. Though it may take time and the help of the people it can be reversed or changed in some way. I would have definitely helped!! one im a compassionate person and would hate to see something like that happening. and two, i am noseyyyy so and will the the police before you can say 911!! :)
ReplyDeleteSPELL CHECK AND TYPOS :/ !
ReplyDeleteHumm, I really enjoyed this article. this type of behavior is seem in everyday life. why is it that when a bad situation arises, no one wants to help. But in all, I can kinda agree with the bystander affect, in many different situations. If someone was getting seriously beat up, then I may help, but then again that is a huge risk because the person who I am trying to break up may have a gun or knife on them and may harm me. Do i think that the bystander affect is a little unethicle, well yes I do.Because, if you are walking down the street and you witness a little girl getting raped, then you should call the proper law enforcement to handle the situation, not completely say "I have nothing to do with it" and then walk away. I kinds felt uncomfortable with the last story about the guy getting "almost" robbed at the subway station, but shooting the "African American teens" 1st...Why they had to be Black Rious??? lol
ReplyDeleteOMGGGGG MRS. RIOUS!!! LOOK WHAT TIME IT IS AND I AM A VICTIM OF THE NYSTANDER EFFECT.! ILL TELL YOU ALLL ABOUT IT IN CLASS TOMORROW! THIS IS CRAZYYY!! THIS JUST HAPPENED WITH MY NEIGHBORS !
ReplyDeletePersonally I believe I would intervene in any situation that does not cause any harm to my life. Like I would call 911 if I saw someone is being rob or beaten on, but I would not jump in to be a “hero”. And I also believe that the bigger the group of bystanders witnessing a crime, or someone needing help the more likely someone SHOULD help not vice versa. The time that people waste to think about rather to help are not could be time spending on helping that person.
ReplyDeleteBut to help reverse it, by standers should be charge as accessory to the crime, fine, or sorry for being so harsh sentence them to prison.
ReplyDeleteIt really depends on what the situation is, would I've called the police for Genovese?, I honestly don't know. I can't really say for sure, especially because it is not my concern (or at least I don't think it is). But I often wonder if I was alone I probably would, but if I was with family it wouldn't be something I would do. Which has nothing to do with fear or embarrassment. Sometimes when events like that happen, its so shocking and unexpected there's no preparation for stuff like that (being a teenager and all). There are a lot of factors to account for intervening. Who knows what Kitty Genovese did to off set her murderer? The whole idea of saving an "innocent" is too overrated. What I would encourage people to do is to just call the PROPER AUTHORITIES,that is what their here for.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Taylor V., simple and easy things like calling the police is beter than intervening yourself. Don't try and be a "hero", because obviously some of you are not. Just don't over do it. Think more rationally.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm a little upset Mrs. Rious b/c my comment never posted and I'm just realizing it :( UGH!
ReplyDeleteTBH I really don't feel like responding again but I want my grade so I guess.
Honestly, depending on the situation I would do something to help someone if I witness them being harmed in any way. I wouldn't just witness something so terrible and NOT do anything about it. However, I'm not saying I would physically get in the midst of the situation, but I would secretly call the police for help. If I were to ever witness anyone getting raped, stabbed to death, or shot at I would not risk my own life to be the HERO, rather, I would dial 911 or get in my car and drive to the nearest police station( Perhaps, I would rethink driving to police station b/c it may take too long or be too late). To reverse the "bystander effect" I think BYSTANDERS should be charged a fine as being an accessory to a crime or maybe even given a few years in prison for being a witness and not saying anything.
~oh and by the way that last comment is from JANEE" T!!!
ReplyDeleteI would help Kitty Genovese at a distance where I know I could remain unharmed. Safety is one of the factors why many people do not help and just stay out of it. The only way to reverse the bystander effect is by starting with the individual. Instead of looking around expecting others to do something you should help out first. Later on in this chapter it showed that in an experiment people were more likely to help when they were asked (although Kitty asked for help) or if they knew more about it. A little education on the subject and what could happen if you don't help will go along way and maybe even decrese the bystander effect.
ReplyDeletethis is K E R R I/ G A R Y
ReplyDeleteI really think its STUPID to just not help someone in DANGER!!!! I mean SIMPLY pressing three numbers (911) isn't hard unless your're blind and you dont't know where your phone is, lol....I can understand some people dont like to get into others business..."very understanding" because that can become very dangerous.. but really? you just gon let them get hurt or die...really?? I wouldnt CONFORM I would definitely help because im a H E R O....lol
--> and to reverse it, those bystanders should THINK "what if that was me in that situation.?" then maybe they would put forth the effort and do something about it, NOMATTER who's around.....
This is messed up but if it happened to most people I think alot of people wouldnt help her becuase they are in shock that a crime is happening.
ReplyDeleteI think the main concern with the bystander effect is simply the safety of the bystanders themselves. No one would want to intervene in a situation in which they feel their own life would be at risk, but then again, if it were me, I don't think I would be able to just stand there and see a person being harmed. Maybe I would respond to the situation in a way where I know I will not be risking my safety. I mean if I were in their predicament I would want someone to help me. It's better to do something than to do nothing at all! It's morally wrong to stand by and intentionally watch a person suffer!
ReplyDeleteMan this thing tripping I just gave a whole story!!
ReplyDeleteI would probably intervene in some type of way. Most likely contacting the police. I would not place myself in harm in the environment that we live in, but I would get proper officals there to take care of a situation.
ReplyDeleteHey! I'm a little late but to start this off, I would have to say that the situation would determine whether I would intervene or not. If I was to see something happen and felt like there was nothing that I could do I would pretend I never saw anything at all. If it was a small situation and I wasn't in a rush I would intervene. I can't think of any reasonable way to reverse the bystander effect, although I do think it's kind of messed up.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest if i was with others, i would help quicker than i would if i were by myself. Others around would confirm that the situation is real for me because no one will gather for a joke. I agree with Terrian that if it involves risking my life, I higly doubt that I'll do it. But of course I would walk off somewhere and call the police and once they arrive i will leave beacuse i know that the situation is handled!
ReplyDelete