The bystander effect is the somewhat controversial name given to a social psychological phenomenon in cases where individuals do not offer help in an emergency situation when other people are present. The probability of help has in the past been thought to be inversely proportional to the number of bystanders; in other words, the greater the number of bystanders, the less likely it is that any one of them will help. This has never been conclusively proven beyond the basic research and cases given here (with some research refuting the effect for certain situations, such as emergency services reporting[1]), however there is further anecdotal evidence to suggest that at least in some circumstances, this is the case.
The case of Petru Barladeanu
Petru Barladeanu was accidentally shot by Italian mafia in a crowded street in the center of Napoli close to the Spanish Quarter, on the 26th of May, 2009. The event took place at a moment when the street was full of people who witnessed the assault at early hours of the evening. Taking refuge at the entrance of a station, Petru Barladeanu fell and died half an hour later in the presence of his panicked wife who called for help. As shown in the CCTV video of the event [3] the victim was surrounded by ordinary people who looked at the victim without giving any help whatsoever and then fled the scene. The victim eventually died and the perpetrators were convicted only months later. None of those who refused to assist the victim were either identified or charged by the prosecutors.[citation needed]
So the bystanders effect is about people not helping others when they are suffering?Like what happened to my classmate you said in "Most embarassing moments"?
yep but I think it's also a little bit fear, imagine you someon get shot if you help him you risk being shot too, you can say yes I will help the person but then your body just won't move
The Bystander Effect is caused in large crowds of people usually due to the fact that everyone is thinking "Oh, someone else will help them."
It's a horrible thing.
Well you would be wrong psychologically because this has already been tested. It is usually responsibility related and not fear. They aren't talking about in situations where you hear a gunshot and people riot. They're talking about when everything already happened.
yes, which is when they think "Oh someone else will take care of it, so I don't have to worry about it." And so no one helps since everyone is thinking that.
You guys are ignoring the first post. Fear is hardly a reason for the bystander effect. It has more to do with responsibility. People feel less responsible if more people are around them, obviously. That's human nature and there is nothing you can do about that.
People nowadays are selfish of thinking only of themselves
On the other hand, they can at least try to help.
I know that from the nature of things people are trying to flee and fear but if it happens to a close person to them they won't escape from there. that's what I'm saying, you need to help even if you don't know the humans.
Bystanders rationally avoid taking responsibility in such situations to avoid litigation in case they get it wrong.