Posted: 7/26/2013 8:07:48 AM EDT
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This is a concept in the psychological realm that talks about people's reluctance to offer assistance with a situation. It assumes that, the more people present that are observing an incident, the more everyone feels that someone else will help and their level of perceived responsibility decreases.
It was born after a situation took place where a woman was being murdered in an alleyway or court yard at an apartment complex. Everyone looked out of their window down at the attack/killing and were horrified. However, they all assumed that someone else was calling 911/police as they all saw each other as well. Unfortunately no one called for help which the police later discovered when interviewing the tenants. This happens on the roadway all the time....think of how many stranded motorists you pass on a daily basis. We all assume that, because EVERYONE has a cell phone, no one needs help. It's sometimes true but other times, while help may be en route, there might be other help that is needed. You might have read my thread last week about being stranded. Now the state road truck called a tow for me which took them over an hour to respond to. However, in the mean time we started to bake. We didn't know it but due to a big tag the state guy put on the back of our vehicle, all the cops passed us right by and assumed we were ok and being helped. So did all other motorists. It wasn't until my wife started walking around with our son that someone stopped...almost immediately!! He specifically said that he saw my wife/child and felt compelled to stop. Now as we were talking to this guy the rip-off tow truck pulled up so we were good. But prior to that he offered us a ride to find supplies or just to sit in his vehicle. Lesson learned... people are sympathetic to women/children and men...not so much. How all this ties in is that, during a short term SHTF when you think your friends, family, and neighbors might be ok because of being surrounded by so many others...don't assume it. Take the initiative and make sure of it!! -Emt1581 |
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Sounds like you are referring to Kitty Genovese and the bystander effect. Years ago the debate raged as to whether or not it was actually the bystander effect, or just plain apathy.
That was a horrible situation all around. Another dynamic at play these days is the notion that no good deed goes unpunished. I'm one of those people who stops whenever they see a broken down vehicle or roadside emergency/MVA. There have been times when my good deed has bitten me squarely on the ass 
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Quoted:
Sounds like you are referring to Kitty Genovese and the bystander effect. Years ago the debate raged as to whether or not it was actually the bystander effect, or just plain apathy. That was a horrible situation all around. Another dynamic at play these days is the notion that no good deed goes unpunished. I'm one of those people who stops whenever they see a broken down vehicle or roadside emergency/MVA. There have been times when my good deed has bitten me squarely on the ass Yup, that's another name for it. I had forgotten the woman's name but Kitty definitely rings a bell. I can honestly say that pulling over to help others has not bitten me...yet. But I know what you mean. -Emt1581 |
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....and it's getting worse. One of the results of a case like Zimmerman's is more inclination to just not get involved. Let someone else do it or have the Police handle it.
I'm not so sure there isn't some "effort" to produce this.....isolating people and pushing them more to a dependence and avoidance attitude plays well into the hands of more government control in the end. |
| Most don't stop out of fear, be it fear of the person on the side of the road, fear of getting run over or the multitude of bad things that could happen. Most people haven't been in a physical confrontation since middle school and that was stopped before it elevated. Stopping late at night to help someone brings a lot of unknowns that they would just as soon not address, much less breaking up a fight. If the world goes to sh%$, the average person would starve to death standing in a chicken coup full of birds rather than kill one and eat it. |
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We have been groomed to believe that there is a highly trained professional who will be available to handle any situation. I had read about the Kitty Genovese murder and the concept of diffusion of Responsibility, but it didnt make any sense to me. Then, I flew into McCarran Int'l in Vegas. As the bags came up the belt, they got caught and hung up, creating a jam that stopped them from entering the carousel. I looked around and saw nobody doing anything. I jumped onto the baggage carousel and moved the bags and got it working. An airport employee yelled at me "HEY! YOU CANT BE UP THERE!" I responded "YOU COME FIX IT!". It was that moment that it all clicked. People won't do shit when something as simple as baggage goes awry, you are on your own in an emergency. It's also the reason that when you learn basic first aid, you are supposed to yell instructions to other bystanders. Once someone has been given a task, they will break free and actually help. Until then, they may stand around gawking or filming on their iPhone. |
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I'll admit that I don't stop most of the time. I'm usually on a strict timeline, so that's my excuse. However, if it is a less traveled area and/or I have time, I'll try to stop if I can get pulled over in a reasonable distance.
Crashes with potential injuries are something I will stop for, but flat tires depends on my schedule, as lame as that is. |
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Quoted:
I'm not so sure there isn't some "effort" to produce this.....isolating people and pushing them more to a dependence and avoidance attitude plays well into the hands of more government control in the end. I believe this - and I am one that has fallen right in line. It's probably been 10 years since I've helped someone that was on the side of the road. It used to be a couple times a year. |