They then released smoke into the room to see who would react first. Darley and Latane noticed that "Two-thirds of the subjects who were alone noticed the smoke immediately, but only 25 percent of those... in groups saw it as quickly" …show more content…
In this section of the essay, they focus on one main source people rely on that causes them to not respond even after they see an emergency, but Darley and Latane suggest that this source is highly unreliable. For instance, Darley and Latane write, "A person trying to interpret a situation often looks at those around him [or her] to see how he [or she] should react" (438). Later in the essay, they also say, "...occasionally the reactions of others provide false information" (438). Darley and Latane believe that people are unlikely to respond to an emergency if there is even one other person there. This is something I have struggled with for a while. I try to make excuses as to why I do not stand up for other who need it or even myself when I should be. When I do not see anyone else taking a stand I feel as though I would be wrong to stand up for them when in reality, according to Darley and Latane, we need to be the ones standing up when someone is in need despite what others may or may not think of