The Bystander Effect and Its Impact on Society

Please be aware of plagiarism!!!!!
Please look over the topics above and choose one (1) topic you believe has the most powerful impact (negative or positive) on people. Discuss your response by:
a) explaining your topic
b) giving a real-life example of your topic; personal, human examples or large scale examples in the world, e.g., the Ukrainian War and the bystander effect?, etc.
c) analyzing how your chosen topic accounts for your example and the role it played in a positive or negative impact. What do you think we should learn from your example?
(approximately 3 paragraphs total)

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

One of the most powerful psychological phenomena that impact people is the bystander effect—the tendency for individuals to be less likely to offer help in an emergency when others are present. This effect is rooted in diffusion of responsibility, where people assume someone else will intervene, and social influence, where individuals look to others for cues on how to behave.

A striking real-life example of the bystander effect occurred during the murder of Kitty Genovese in 1964. She was attacked outside her apartment in New York City while 38 witnesses reportedly did nothing to intervene or call the police. Although later investigations disputed the exact number of passive witnesses, the event became a catalyst for research into the bystander effect and led to changes in emergency response protocols.

Analyzing this example, the bystander effect played a negative role, as inaction contributed to a tragic outcome. This phenomenon has also been seen in modern events, such as cases of public harassment or online bullying, where people hesitate to intervene due to fear, uncertainty, or the belief that someone else will step in.

From this, we should learn the importance of personal responsibility and proactive intervention. Awareness of the bystander effect can help individuals recognize when they are falling into passive behaviors and encourage them to take action in situations where help is needed. Educating people on this psychological tendency can foster a more compassionate and engaged society.