Bystander Effect

The bystander effect is a social psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help in an emergency situation when others are present. The presence of multiple bystanders can lead to diffusion of responsibility, assuming someone else will take action. Social Psychologists Bibe Lanté and John Darley gave this concept to explain this concept. This effect was famously demonstrated in the murder of Kitty Genovese in 1964, where many witnesses failed to intervene. Factors influencing the bystander effect include ambiguity of the situation, social influence, and perceived competence. Overcoming the bystander effect often requires increasing awareness, personal responsibility, and fostering a sense of collective responsibility in a community.