The Bystander Effect: Breaking the Silence

Have you ever witnessed an emergency or crime and wondered why others didn't intervene? The bystander effect is a startling phenomenon where the presence of multiple witnesses decreases the likelihood of anyone helping. In this article, we'll delve into the psychology behind this effect and explore ways to transform passive bystanders into active contributors.

What is the Bystander Effect?

The bystander effect occurs when multiple witnesses to an event fail to take action, assuming someone else will help. This diffusion of responsibility is amplified by group size. The more witnesses, the less likely any one individual will intervene.

To put it simply, the bystander effect is a hard idea to grasp when you first hear about it:

·??The likelihood that one person will assist or report a crime or accident decreases with the number of witnesses.

·? The likelihood that some (or all) of the persons who witness a crime or accident will assist or report it increases with the number of witnesses.

This is mostly because of the principle of responsibility dispersal. You won't feel much of a personal obligation to assist someone who has fallen and is screaming in agony in a crowded area, like a busy sidewalk, because there are many others nearby who, you reason, are in a better position to do so.

The likelihood of experiencing a diffusion of responsibility would be much reduced if this same scenario were to take place on an empty sidewalk with only one or two other persons there in addition to yourself. Rather, you would feel a personal obligation to assist the individual who has fallen to his or her feet.

In many circumstances and contexts, the bystander effect was exacerbated by a sense of social influence (if no one else is taking action, why should I?).

Some Examples

Mumbai Train Incident (2018): A man was beaten to death by a mob on a Mumbai train. Fellow passengers failed to intervene. (Negative example)

Bengaluru Good Samaritan (2020): A bystander saved a woman from being attacked by a knife-wielding man. He intervened and helped the police apprehend the attacker.(Positive example)

Kolkata Flyover Collapse (2018): A flyover collapsed in Kolkata, killing several people. Onlookers failed to provide immediate assistance. (Negative example)

Hyderabad Hero (2018): A 22-year-old man saved a woman from drowning in a lake. He jumped into the water and pulled her to safety. (Positive example)

Chennai Techie Murder (2018): A software engineer was hacked to death on a Chennai beach. Bystanders filmed the incident instead of helping. (Negative example)

Strategies for Avoiding the Bystander Effect

There are strategies to prevent being a passive spectator so that you, your friends, and your family are prepared to respond if your assistance is required, even if there are numerous particular situational elements that contribute to the bystander effect.

Here is a brief list of ways to avoid the bystander effect:

1. Pretend to be the only one who saw the accident or crime.

2. To feel more equipped, take part in de-escalation and first aid training.

3. Remind yourself that being a proactive bystander—what I like to refer to as a "active contributor"—does not require medical or de-escalation training. It's always better to call 100 than to take no action.

Active participants have the power to save the life of the stressed individual. Don't stand by and do nothing. Whether you are in front of a hundred people or just one, stand up for your fellow citizen.

Acting as though you are the only person observing the incident and taking control of the situation will help you avoid the bystander effect.