Lecture Notes: Bystander Apathy and Diffusion of Responsibility
Introduction
The lecture discusses the phenomenon where individuals in a crowd are less likely to offer help in emergencies, known as bystander apathy or diffusion of responsibility.
The concept is introduced with the scenario of being a victim of a crime or illness in a crowded place such as New York City.
Key Concepts
Diffusion of Responsibility
Definition: When in a crowd, individuals assume someone else will take responsibility.
Psychological Insight: Safety is not necessarily increased with numbers; people are less likely to intervene when others are present.
Liverpool Street Station Experiment
Setting: Busy commuter area in London.
Experiment Setup: Actors pretend to be ill to gauge public response.
Experiment Observations
Initial Observations
Peter's Case: Pretends to be ill and receives no help for over 20 minutes.
Demonstrates the reluctance to help due to inconvenience or risk.
Ruth's Case: Another actor who receives no help for 4 minutes as 34 people pass by.
Highlights the pressure of conforming to the crowd's non-response.
Group Influence
Temporary Group Dynamics: Strangers form an unspoken rule of non-involvement.
First Helper's Influence: When one person intervenes, others are more likely to follow.
Example: A woman helps when she sees another person doing so.
Impact of Social Cues
Social Cues and Appearance: People's reaction changes based on the victim’s appearance.
Respectable Appearance: When Peter dresses as a gentleman, he receives help in 6 seconds.
Perception Shift: His appropriate dress aligns with passersby, prompting quicker assistance.
Conclusions
Pressure to Conform: Individuals are more likely to follow the crowd's inaction.
Role of Social Cues: Appearance and perceived social status significantly affect the likelihood of receiving help.
Bystander Intervention: Once someone intervenes, it alters the group dynamic and encourages others to help.
Reflections
Human Behavior Insight: The experiment reveals discomfort and reluctance in disrupting group norms.
Personal Empathy: Individuals express empathy when aligned with the victim's apparent social status.