Your textbook presents an overview of the Kitty Genovese case. In 1964, Genovese was returning home from her job at 3:20 A.M. when a man attacked her near her apartment in a middle-class residential area. Despite her pleas for help, only one man shouted from his apartment building for the attacker to leave her alone. Lights in various apartments shut off and no one came to her assistance. The attacker returned several times and ultimately stabbed Genovese to death. It wasn’t until 3:50 A.M. that someone finally called the police. Investigators later learned that 38 people actually witnessed the murder, yet none came to her assistance. Why? One explanation is the bystander effect. According to this concept, if other people are present (or imagined to be present) during a situation, helping behavior declines. Perhaps people think to themselves, “Let someone else get involved.” Or “Look at all these people. Surely someone will call the police or step in to help.”
Locate a video on YouTube that addresses the bystander effect. Make sure to find a video that illustrates the bystander effect, not simply an expert describing what the concept is.
Question
1
Summarize the video that you watched. Was the bystander effect evident? Explain, using examples from the video.
Question
2
How would you respond in a similar situation?
Question
3
Have you ever experienced or observed the bystander effect? If so, explain.
Question
4
According to your textbook, what are some significant factors that increase the likelihood of bystanders helping?
Question
5
What is “diffusion of responsibility,” and how does it help explain the bystander effect?
Question
6
Your roommate walks out of your apartment, forgetting his research report that is due today. Although you try to catch him before he leaves, you’re too late. You get in your car, drive to campus, and find him in class. He can’t believe that you went out of your way to make sure he had the paper. In this example, your behavior is an example of
A.
B.
C.
D.
Question
7
In which of the following situations is the bystander effect likely to occur?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Question
8
Which of the following increases the likelihood of bystanders helping?
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B.
C.
D.
Question
9
What is prosocial behavior? Is it the same as altruism? Explain.
Prosocial behavior is any behavior that helps another person, regardless of the underlying motive. Prosocial behaviors are not always altruistic. For example, we may help others out of guilt or in order to gain something, such as recognition, rewards, increased self-esteem, or having the favor returned.