The Bystander Effect

The likelihood that an onlooker would help the car that slid off the road would be in the middle of very likely and very unlikely, in this case a 4 on the scale. Some of the factors that would influence an onlooker to help include feeling guilty for not stopping. Although the driver was not driving responsibly, the onlookers may feel guilty because the accident could have been serious. On the other hand, one of the factors that would influence an onlooker not to help is the characteristics of the victim. In this case, the victim was being a reckless driver by weaving on the roads to pass other drivers, coming close to hitting them. By the dilution effect, the onlookers may stereotype this driver as someone who is careless and frankly obnoxious. The other drivers may believe that this driver in need doesn’t deserve help, because he/or caused the problem. Therefore, the onlookers are less likely to help the victim.

The likelihood that an onlooker would stop to help the teacher that dropped her papers it pretty unlikely, in this case a 5 on the scale. One factor that influence an onlooker to help pick up the papers is avoiding personal guilt for not helping the teacher. However, there are several factors that would influence a bystander not to help. One reason they wouldn’t help in this situation could be linked to pluralistic ignorance, in which the bystanders do not help if others are not helping, thinking it is not necessary to intervene. Another reason they wouldn’t help is because of the “diffusion of responsibility,” in which they do not help because they think someone else will help, therefore feeling less responsible in the situation. Lastly, if students are in a hurry and are worried about being late to class, they are unlikely to help the teacher pick up her papers.

The bystanders are unlikely to help the victim outside of the tavern, the likelihood being a 5 on the scale. The two main reasons that the bystanders would step in are to help the victim from danger, and to help relieve the tension of seeing this situation take place. One factor that would influence an onlooker not to help in this situation is pluralistic ignorance, as mentioned above. Also, the onlookers may believe that this situation is none of their business. Lastly, similar to the onlookers in the Kitty Genovese case, they may want to avoid a dangerous situation and not get involved.

The bystanders are likely to help the man off of the railing of the bridge, the likelihood being a 6 on the scale. Some of the factors that would influence the bystanders not to help would be pluralistic ignorance, and ambiguity, in which the bystanders are unsure if the situation is really an emergency. Although a bystander may help this man to avoid personal guilt if something bad were to happen to him. Also, they may feel the need to get this man out of a dangerous situation, and may feel as though they are not harming themselves in the process. Lastly, because of “selfish benefits,” in which a bystander will help in return for social and personal rewards, a bystander may help the man to be rewarded with praise from the other bystanders, and be seen as a hero.

The Bystander Effect shows that humans are sometimes unsure of whether or not they should help, and rely on the reactions of others to determine the degree of a situation. It also shows that people are less likely to help if there are other bystanders around. The Milgram Study shows that humans are likely to listen to authority and be obedient, and that they “trust those with the knowledge of power.” Both the Bystander Effect and the Milgram Study show that people tend to defer their responsibility in certain situations, and are often afraid to get into trouble. My own thinking has changed with regard to helping others, because I know that I cannot always rely on the reactions of other bystanders to determine whether or not I should intervene in a situation. I know that although I may not have a legal responsibility to help others, I have a moral responsibility to step in and help. I can now help others without the fear of questioning authority or getting into trouble. I think the most significant factors that influenced me not to help, and will continue to influence me not to help, are the fears of getting involved in a dangerous situation, and offering potentially dangerous assistance. However, after learning about the Milgram Study and the Bystander Effect, I am more likely to help out in an emergency situation in which it is safe to do so.