Bystander Effect Definition

“The Bystander” From the Holocaust to bullying, people just watch instead of taking action against the horrible acts that are occurring right in front of their eyes. In looking at the definition of a bystander, the bystander effect, the relationship between bystanders and bullying, and how indifference and fear play a role in the bystander effect, the reasoning and enabling behind bystanders will be revealed through their explanations. To begin, examine the definition of a bystander, the Merriam-Webster offers one broad and encompassing, stating that a bystander is “a person who is standing but not taking part in what is happening”. Extraordinarily important to understanding the bystander is the act that is occurring. A bystander is normally
Changing Minds notes this was first witnessed in Kitty Genovese’s murder where several people stated that while they noticed her cries for help, they did not call the police or move to help her because they assumed someone else would act and help. The key here is the assumption that someone else will help, that the duty to act and potentially be effected because of helping, is placed on someone else. All liability and duty is placed on the other people around them and it’s ultimately not their problem. As shown in Today’s kidnapping experiment video, people are, more often than not, focused solely on themselves, cut off from what’s occurring around them. Rather than being an active bystander, someone who is actively ignoring the situation at hand, like the lady who glances at the people several times but doesn’t react, passive bystanders are focused solely on themselves and in doing so, do not notice the action occurring, or just don’t care. Reverend Martin Niemöller talks about not speaking out, ending with “then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me,” warning that if people do not intervene early even when it does not effect them, the situation can escalate much larger and eventually will. Movements, multiple people taking actions, helps a larger group be empowered to react as
In the case of bullying, being a bystander instigates and encourages. The passive accepting of the bullying validates the act. If no one is going to act and punish the bully, then their actions must be ok. Watching gives the bully the attention that they’re seeking to gain from acting in such a manner in the first place. A helpful bystander intervenes and seeks help. Bystanders that do not act suffer several adverse consequences emotionally, as shown in the Eyes on Bullying article, ranging from anxiety to fear. Those who choose not to act when confronted with someone being bullied do so for a variety of reasons. Bullyonline talks a lot about environments fostered around bullying that helps facilitate bystanding. School and work places rely on a power structure that can easily be manipulated. Drew Carberry notes that when looking at a crowded environment, when you see that people are doing nothing, “then that becomes the norm.” Mirroring other people’s actions and norms is typical in socialization. In looking at children’s media, there’s always an episode where a bully ends up having a rough home life or some other tragedy that excuses their behavior, not holding them accountable. Lessons taught as children from “snitches get stitches” to “no one likes a tattle-tail” discourage children and really anyone from speaking out. The idea that one shouldn’t tell on other people is deeply ingrained in