One of the most controversial event that is known under the bystander effect is the murder of Kitty Genovese. On 13 March 1964, Kitty Genovese was stabbed and sexually assaulted in Kew Gardens, New York, in three separated attacks. It was reported that the incident was witnessed by 38 people, but none of them did anything to help her (Manning, Levine, & Collins, 2007). In recent years, it is found that there are many flaws in this news report when it first came out. Again according to Manning, Levine and Collins (2007), there are no proof that can support this story about 38 people witnessing a terrible crime and not provide any help. However, this story did piqued the interest of many social psychologist to do research about this phenomenon which is now known as bystander effect or bystander apathy.
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In many research and experiments that were done, it is shown that people tend to help less when there is the presence of others. Darley and Latané (1968) provided a theory-diffusion of responsibility-that explains when there are more people being present in a situation, people feel less responsible to give help. Hudson and Bruckman (2004) gave a common example on this situation, that is very few people are willing to stop and helped a person with flat tire by the
In many research and experiments that were done, it is shown that people tend to help less when there is the presence of others. Darley and Latané (1968) provided a theory-diffusion of responsibility-that explains when there are more people being present in a situation, people feel less responsible to give help. Hudson and Bruckman (2004) gave a common example on this situation, that is very few people are willing to stop and helped a person with flat tire by the