On the evening of the Genovese murder in 1964, an eyewitness and neighbor, before calling police, telephoned a friend in nearby Nassau County to ask his opinion as to whether he should get involved (Gado, 2014, pp 1-12). Unthinkable to many, relying on someone else’s response as a basis for action or approval during a crisis is a normal occurrence. It is important to note, Forsyth (2014) found these actions were not associated with a lack of apathy or compassion leaving other explanations for this behavior to be explored (pp. 231-229). From a cognitive standpoint, everyone processes information differently. Clinton, Hart, & Ohlschlager, 2005 propose, “The combination of one’s cognitive beliefs, cognitive …show more content…
The idea infers decision-making negating the responsibility to act based on a process of collective thinking and the probability of other group members actions. This rational maintains an idealistic perception of shared accountability, therefore justifying the decision to transfer obligation. At the very least, the most alarming aspect of this theory is the presumption that in a time of extreme crisis, lackadaisical feelings, and misinterpretations regarding personal concern and the degree of severity and need becomes a defensible excuse not to intervene in the prevention of suffering or …show more content…
There will always be a collective responsibility as a member of humanity. Moreover, as with any claim, the validity of all findings is at risk without the constant of every variable considered. In which case, the effects of television, gaming, and social media should not be disregarded although some adamantly dispute the suggestion entertainment has become much more than a harmless way to pass time. Yet, from a very early age, everyone has been subjected to graphic images of violence, suffering, and death. It is not rational to presume years of innocent exposure do not result in a loss of connection to real crisis, suffering, and