Why Don't People Help in a Crisis?

“Help! Help! I’m dying..!” Those were the chilling last words uttered by Kitty Genovese before she tragically met her demise. In the thought-provoking reading titled “Why Don’t People Help in a Crisis” by John Darley and Bibb Latane, the authors argue that bystanders in a crisis often display indifference and fail to intervene. One of the most infamous examples cited in the reading is the brutal murder of Kitty Genovese, where thirty-eight witnesses observed the horrific scene multiple times but chose not to take action.

Darley and Latane describe how these witnesses were paralyzed by a mix of fascination, distress, and a reluctance to get involved, highlighting the phenomenon of bystander apathy.

While some may argue that they would have acted differently if they were in a similar situation, it is hard to ignore the compelling argument put forth by Darley and Latane regarding the influence of social conformity on human behavior. The case of Kitty Genovese serves as a stark reminder of how individuals tend to follow the crowd, even when faced with a moral imperative to intervene.

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Despite the victim's desperate cries for help, the witnesses perceived the incident as a mere lover's quarrel, failing to recognize the gravity of the situation unfolding before their eyes.

With approximately sixteen witnesses on each level of the building where the crime took place, one would expect that at least one person would have stepped in to assist Kitty Genovese. Darley and Latane suggest that in times of crisis, people may be too shocked or overwhelmed to take action. However, I firmly believe that even in a state of shock, one must acknowledge the consequences of inaction and the burden of guilt that comes with allowing harm to befall another individual. The notion of self-preservation should never justify turning a blind eye to someone in need, as it goes against the fundamental principles of humanity.

The excuse offered by one witness who claimed to have been tired and went back to bed instead of intervening is deeply troubling. It is disheartening to think that the fear of getting involved or the desire to avoid inconvenience could outweigh the moral obligation to help a fellow human being in distress. While I agree with many of the observations made by Darley and Latane, I find their suggestion that people are reluctant to assist others for fear of appearing foolish to be somewhat perplexing.

As members of society, we should always be prepared to lend a helping hand, regardless of whether the individual in need is a friend or a stranger. Pride and the fear of rejection should not deter us from offering assistance, as the act of helping others should always take precedence. In situations where a person is in need of aid, we must resist the urge to assume that someone else will step in, as collective indifference can have dire consequences.

It is crucial to recognize that ignorance and apathy towards the suffering of others can be just as harmful as intentional harm. The reluctance to intervene in a crisis stems from a lack of empathy and a failure to prioritize the well-being of others. We must break free from this harmful trend and cultivate a culture of compassion and proactive assistance towards those in need.

References

• National Center for Biotechnology Information - The Bystander Effect
• Simply Psychology - Bystander Effect
• Verywell Mind - What Is the Bystander Effect?
• Verywell Mind - The Psychology of the Bystander Effect
• National Center for Biotechnology Information - Bystander Apathy