What is ‘Bystander Impact’?
a. The influence of witnesses on a crime scene
b. The diminished likelihood of help by individuals with more bystanders present
c. The effect of a disaster on community morale
d. The psychological trauma after an accident
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is b. The diminished likelihood of help by individuals with more bystanders present.
Bystander impact refers to the psychological phenomenon known as the bystander effect, which suggests that individuals are less likely to offer help in an emergency situation when there are other people present. This effect is rooted in a combination of diffusion of responsibility and social influence. In a crowd, people often assume that someone else will take responsibility and intervene, which leads to a decrease in the overall likelihood of any one person taking action.
Research by social psychologists Bibb Latané and John Darley in the 1960s helped to establish this effect. They found that when individuals are alone, they are more likely to intervene in an emergency, such as someone collapsing in a public place. However, when others are present, the likelihood of intervention drops significantly. This is because people tend to look around and gauge the reactions of others, often concluding that the situation isn’t as urgent as it may seem.
The bystander effect is particularly evident in situations like public accidents, assaults, or crimes, where there may be many witnesses but little to no intervention. The presence of multiple bystanders not only dilutes personal responsibility but also introduces social pressure. If no one else is taking action, individuals may feel uncertain about what is the appropriate response.
In more extreme cases, the bystander effect can result in tragic consequences, as people fail to intervene or call for help, assuming that others will take the necessary steps. Understanding the bystander effect can help in designing interventions to encourage responsible action in emergency situations.