It all started in 1964, with one murder, outside an apartment building where 38 witnesses did nothing. The bystander effect is a serious issue that has worked its way from the physical world to the online world. Social media outlets have contributed to the bystander effect in which nobody assumes responsibility in a crisis.
In the “Kitty” Genovese Case in 1964, New York City, Catherine “Kitty” Genovese was brutally murdered on her way home. She screamed for help as she was attacked, raped, and stabbed for an hour by psychopath, Winston Moseley. It wasn’t until 30 minutes into the assault when someone finally contacted the police, but it was too late. Later, it was discovered there was 38 witnesses that either witnessed or heard Kitty being attacked. These 38 witnesses responded that they did not want to get involved or they thought someone else would call the police. This case became a historical mystery that inspired two social psychologists: John Darley and Bibb Latané to understand the factors that influence if observers help or not in a situation.
According to Darley’s and Latané’s theory of the Bystander Effect, there is a tendency for a witness to be less likely to help if others are present, stemming from psychological processes: diffusion of …show more content…
Thus, being further aware of what is happening in our world. Spreading the news and posting opinions on a subject is doing something. It seems nowadays individuals do not need to do anything physical. Yet, we are always told that actions speak larger than words, because actions prove who a person is; words only show their potential. Moreover, the lack of physical acts in social media will reinforce the bystander effect. Talking things out can definitely lead to physical acts, but how long will topics be discussed before something is executed? If all people do is mule over a situation how will anything be
In the “Kitty” Genovese Case in 1964, New York City, Catherine “Kitty” Genovese was brutally murdered on her way home. She screamed for help as she was attacked, raped, and stabbed for an hour by psychopath, Winston Moseley. It wasn’t until 30 minutes into the assault when someone finally contacted the police, but it was too late. Later, it was discovered there was 38 witnesses that either witnessed or heard Kitty being attacked. These 38 witnesses responded that they did not want to get involved or they thought someone else would call the police. This case became a historical mystery that inspired two social psychologists: John Darley and Bibb Latané to understand the factors that influence if observers help or not in a situation.
According to Darley’s and Latané’s theory of the Bystander Effect, there is a tendency for a witness to be less likely to help if others are present, stemming from psychological processes: diffusion of …show more content…
Thus, being further aware of what is happening in our world. Spreading the news and posting opinions on a subject is doing something. It seems nowadays individuals do not need to do anything physical. Yet, we are always told that actions speak larger than words, because actions prove who a person is; words only show their potential. Moreover, the lack of physical acts in social media will reinforce the bystander effect. Talking things out can definitely lead to physical acts, but how long will topics be discussed before something is executed? If all people do is mule over a situation how will anything be