The Bystander Effect
Sam Kotowski
10-29-2010
Psychology
Bystander Effect Essay
In New York City around 1964, a 29-year-old woman named Kitty Genovese was stabbed to death. Despite hearing cries nobody reported this incident to the police; only because they assumed that someone else would or has already done it. Although murders in New York are not uncommon, the circumstances surrounding Kitty’s death have saved her story to be a strangely literal illustration of what is now a well-known psychological effect: the Bystander Effect.
The Bystander Effect states that the more people present during an emergency, the less likely any individual is to assist. Bystanders are most likely to only assist if there are little or no witnesses present around them. Also if
10-29-2010
Psychology
Bystander Effect Essay
In New York City around 1964, a 29-year-old woman named Kitty Genovese was stabbed to death. Despite hearing cries nobody reported this incident to the police; only because they assumed that someone else would or has already done it. Although murders in New York are not uncommon, the circumstances surrounding Kitty’s death have saved her story to be a strangely literal illustration of what is now a well-known psychological effect: the Bystander Effect.
The Bystander Effect states that the more people present during an emergency, the less likely any individual is to assist. Bystanders are most likely to only assist if there are little or no witnesses present around them. Also if