Bystander Effect

[Christianbookworm]

Discuss. This is when bystanders don't get involved in a problem for various reasons, such as: not knowing the problem exists, expecting that someone else will solve the problem, not knowing what to do, etc.

[Catholicity]

1) not knowing what to do
2) fear

[Christianbookworm]

Knowledge is power. Would informing people help reduce it?

[Teallaura]

I thought you meant 'Get Smart' - the bystander effect being that anytime someone tries to kill Max, they hit a bystander.


3) Apathy
4) Convinced (irrationally) that 'someone else will do something'.
5) They weren't told to (if you direct a command rather than make a general plea the person is more likely to actually do what they are told. So instead of "someone call 911" say, "you, with the blue shirt, call 911!")
6) Fear of upsetting authority - the police might get mad if you don't wait for them - never mind that the guy is bleeding.
7) Unsure what to do (always give clear instructions because if they don't understand they will stand there like idiots).
8) The Uncut Pie Factor: weirdly, most people will avoid being the first. They will bypass a perfectly good uncut pie in favor of one with a slice missing even though both are on a buffet. Once someone 'cuts the pie' by acting, others will join in.

[Raphael]

A recent situation here in NZ, a woman was beaten up by a stranger in public. One by stander said he didn't intervene because he thought the bloke was her partner!!!!!!! Another said he was afraid of being charged with assault if he intervened.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/crime/news...ectid=11188763

[Christianbookworm]

Sometimes it might be confusing who the bad guy is. And the scene may be unsafe.

[Cerealman]

I remember this one from AP psych, when it comes to me it's usually cause I don't care or it's not my problem but I've tried moving away from being like that.

[Epoetker]

A recent situation here in NZ, a woman was beaten up by a stranger in public. One by stander said he didn't intervene because he thought the bloke was her partner!!!!!!! Another said he was afraid of being charged with assault if he intervened.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/crime/news...ectid=11188763

'Stranger', 'bystander', 'consumption unit', or whatever, whoever wrote, edited, and published that article is criminally negligent in giving information on the demographics of the assailant or the neighborhood. Given the target and the excuses, most likely all Indians, in whose fatalistic culture these things are just expected. Sadly, the Daily Mail has nothing related to New Zealand outside of International Anglosphere sports, so it's likely that the truth, in this case, will be lost forever.

Raphael, you in particular seem to have a habit of posting ambiguous crime stories like these and claiming in some vague way that this reflects on all humanity. No, it reflects on the degenerate human tribes where this is seen as a daily practice. I know South Africa is probably like that every day, but even there most of the white/Asian population, even among the poor, don't really act like this.

I recommend not reading these newspaper articles and especially not using the vague abstract terms like 'strangers' and 'bystanders,' as you seem to have overloaded the definition with too much explanatory power that's causing you not to see the world as it is. Use the enemy's words and read the enemy's literature on a daily basis, and you will begin to think the enemy's thoughts.

[Cow Poke]

I thought you meant 'Get Smart' - the bystander effect being that anytime someone tries to kill Max, they hit a bystander.


3) Apathy
4) Convinced (irrationally) that 'someone else will do something'.
5) They weren't told to (if you direct a command rather than make a general plea the person is more likely to actually do what they are told. So instead of "someone call 911" say, "you, with the blue shirt, call 911!")
6) Fear of upsetting authority - the police might get mad if you don't wait for them - never mind that the guy is bleeding.
7) Unsure what to do (always give clear instructions because if they don't understand they will stand there like idiots).
8) The Uncut Pie Factor: weirdly, most people will avoid being the first. They will bypass a perfectly good uncut pie in favor of one with a slice missing even though both are on a buffet. Once someone 'cuts the pie' by acting, others will join in.

At Church, when we have done the "prayer for the meal", nobody wants to be first in line. So I'll usually call out somebody's name and say, "demonstrate leadership --- show us how it's done!" IF they don't hop to it, I say, "OK, I'll lead!"

[Andius]

There is one other reason as well that can be expressed in diverse fashion:

1) Not my duty.
2) Not my problem
3) Not my jurisdiction
4) I am not here to grant solution to every problem uninvolved with my being.

Cerealman got the gist that I myself have.

[themuzicman]

Is this like the cheerleader effect?

[Christianbookworm]

Is this like the cheerleader effect?

No. I looked up what that phrase meant, and the only thing in common is the idea that groups have an effect on people. But the effects are not the same type.

[Christianbookworm]

I do wonder how common the opposite problem would be in real life? If people burn themselves out by trying to help everybody?

[KingsGambit]

I do wonder how common the opposite problem would be in real life? If people burn themselves out by trying to help everybody?

It happens to plenty of idealistic people who make career choices like going into social work or inner city teaching.

[Christianbookworm]

It happens to plenty of idealistic people who make career choices like going into social work or inner city teaching.

That makes sense. I don't think I would have the emotional capability to deal with it, which is why I'm not going to be a social worker, doctor, nurse, clinical psychologist, paramedic, or police officer.