Bystander Inaction
Like 7-Eleven assault, more likely with more witnesses, experts say
A phenomenon known as the bystander effect states that, “people are less likely to help in an emergency when other bystanders are present (Schneider, 2011).” This event occurs as a result of diminished sense of responsibility in the presence of other bystanders who witnessed the emergency occur. Traumatic events may trigger a period of inaction in a public setting where people typically do not involve themselves in situations if other people are present. In several cases, bystanders assume someone else will help and do not take the responsibility on themselves. Witnesses in these situations tend to remain lethargic, detached, and hesitant as they try to process what just happened.
Marques Gaines became the unsuspected victim of assault one early morning. He was found lying motionless in the streets of Chicago after being punched and knocked unconscious. Several people lingered over his stock-stilled body, but no one bothered to carry him out of the traffic-jammed road. No one helped him into a safer spot away from the road. Careless actions led to the preventable fatality of Marques Gaines, who was reported dead after a taxi driver ran him over.
What situational factors contribute to the diffusion of responsibility? Where people tend to not act out or speak up in crowds, because they are unsure of what to think about the existing conflict. In some cases, people do not want to involve themselves because they fear that their own safety may be put at stake. Everyone is going to be put in situations where they do not feel comfortable, but when it comes to being the witness of someone being victimized or in danger, I do not understand how people can sit back and not do anything to help. Too many people assume that other people will do something about it, and move on from the situation. What if you switched places with the person who truly needed your help? How would you feel if they walked away from you? Helping others is a feeling of achievement and pride that builds you into a stronger person. There should not be many exceptions as to why people should not want to help others, unless their life is truly threatened in that situation as well.
Taking moral responsibility for your own actions is important. Although, if you are with a group of spectators following an emergency situation, you should try to communicate with each other and figure out how each of you can best contribute to the situation. You can discuss your personal skills or resources that you may be able to implement to make the best out of the situation, as well as provide help to those who need it. In several cases, bystanders are all experiencing feelings of confusion and hesitance. It takes one person to step up and be a leader. You could possibly save a life one day, and that is one of the most rewarding feelings you could perpetrate (O’Connell & Lee, 2016).
APA CITATION:
Schneider, Frank W., Gruman, Jamie A.,Coutts, Larry. M. (2011). Applied Social Psychology: Intervention and Evaluation (Second Edition, pp. 247).
O’Connell, P. M., & Lee, W. (2016, April 23). Bystander inaction, like 7-Eleven assault, more likely with more witnesses, experts say. Retrieved April 01, 2017, from http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-bystander-effect-bartender-death-met-20160421-story.html