Overview & Description:

The Bystander Effect, or bystander apathy, is a social psychological theory that states that individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present.

Key Points:

1. Diffusion of Responsibility: As the number of bystanders increases, any given individual is less likely to interpret the incident as an emergency, feeling that someone else will intervene.
2. Famous Case: The murder of Kitty Genovese in New York City in 1964, where reportedly numerous neighbors failed to intervene, brought attention to this phenomenon.
3. Factors Influencing: The ambiguity of the situation, cohesiveness and familiarity among witnesses, and the perceived danger can influence bystander intervention.

Implications:

1. Emergency Situations: Recognizing this effect can be crucial in emergency situations, prompting individuals to act rather than assume someone else will.
2. Education & Training: Programs can train people to be “active” rather than passive bystanders.

References:

• Latané, B., & Darley, J. M. (1968). Group inhibition of bystander intervention in emergencies. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 10(3), 215.