Bystander Effect Discussion
Choose one major controversial bystander effect event with your own research or one of those covered in class. Drawing on your knowledge of social influences, norms, conformity, or bystander effect, discuss the following as it relates to your chosen event:
- How might these effects account for the (real or alleged) mistakes that were made (be specific and detailed - what evidence appears to be present)?
- How could this situation or resulting violations have been prevented? Specifically, what are some changes that could have been made in the decision-making process that might have led to better results?
Format: Your analysis of the event should be in at least twelve sentences combined A and B and include: a summary of the event; topic sentences, explanations, examples, and concluding thoughts. You may choose to include everything within one paragraph or divide it into two to three paragraphs. After posting, you will respond to two classmates' posts. Your response should either agree or disagree with the posting while also illuminating or adding to the dialogue in a meaningful way (approximately five to seven sentences).
In 1992, a 15 year old girl by the name of Shanda Sharer was kidnapped, beaten, and eventually killed by 4 other teenage girls. Their reasoning was that Sharer stole one of the girls' boyfriends. Throughout the entire process, two of the girls backed out because they didn't feel that it was right, but still watched. One of the two even called another friend and told her the story. However, no one called the police. These girls are a perfect example of the bystander effect. The reason these girls didn't say anything was fear of being in trouble, or being the nonconformist of the group. This situation could have easily been prevented if the girls were to follow their instincts and called the police. Also, the girls could have just confronted Sharer, instead of brutally beating her and killing her.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this case is a perfect example of the bystander effect. Your reasoning behind why the girls who stopped did nothing to help the victim really brings light to what happened. Two girls were bystanders because they could not overcome the pressure put on them to be a part of the act.
DeleteWow that is very crazy!! I do agree with you Sydney this was the perfect bystander example. This could been avoided if either a parent or the police were contacted. The worst part about the situation is that these girls where fighting over a guy who is 15!!!He cant even by movie ticket. AINT NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!!!!!!!!
DeleteI can't believe someone would do that for such a dumb reason. Humans are cruel. If only they stood out and said something about this it could've been a lot better. I think you should've game more detail about how the effect account for the mistakes. But I really did appreciate the knowledge you shared with me.
DeleteThis is unbelievable that these girls watched someone they knew gat killed. However I do agree that this a perfect example of people being a bystander. In this case these girls wrer a bystander of someone being murdered. The reasons these girls didn't do anything is ridiculous and should not of happened
DeleteYes Sydney i agree with you , the two other girls who didn't want to take place in this should have called the cops. However, confronting sharer would have been a whole lot better! Besides she should have been mad at her boyfriend.
DeleteHannah Sinner.
ReplyDeleteThere have been many situations where people have been considered bystanders. One event in history that had many bystanders was the Kitty G. stabbing in New York City. There is evidence proving that there were many people that night in the apartment building across the street that heard Kitty's screams for help. They turned their lights on, opened up their windows, and one man even yelled down there asking what was going on. The man that yelled did scare the stabbe off for a few minutes allowing Kitty to hobble to the apartment building and go inside but it unfortunately didn't end there. He eventuallreturnedbecause nobody called the cops and nobody went down to help her. I feel like her life could have been saved if people would have taken action and not just stood by. Nobody communicated so each person either thought someone else in the building was going to act or they were too scared. People could have been in shock as well and not have thought to react, however I truly think that everyone assumed that someone else was going to act so they didn't have to. I think that if we can lower the bystander effect we can also lower the amount of deaths. We need to start reacting ourselves because we can't always assume someone else will react the correct way. Everyone needs to step it up and start reacting to save lives.
Barbie Crumpler
ReplyDeleteMalcolm X was an African-American Muslim minister and a human rights activist. He's a man who caused a lot of controversy and made a lot of strives for African-Americans. Unfortunately, he became a black supremacist, urging the people of his church to separate from white people. This really hurt his campaign because there were many white people who actually wanted to help him and his cause. If someone were to tell him that including white people to his cause would be helpful, he might've been able to make even more changes. A lot of the people in his church were too scared to stand up to him, they didn't want to offend him. Other people were more comfortable conforming to what their peers were doing, so they didn't speak up. Luckily, Malcolm slowly realized there are good, non-racist white people in the world.
I completely agree that it would have been beneficial to Malcolm's campaign if someone would have told him thst not all white people were bad. Though he did eventually realize, he could havr done so much more had someone enlightened him earlier.
DeleteI cant believe a minster would do this. It saddens me to see this is how society is. If only he realized sooner. I think you should've added more reasons why the mistakes we're made by him and the bystanders. But overall I enjoyed learning from you.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMarch 27th, 1964 Kitty Genovese was raped and murdered on the streets of Queens. There were 38 witnesses but none of them chose to help her. This is a prime example of the bystander effect. It happened when she was walking to her apartment from her car, the guy had been stalking her and attacked her under a light post. The neighbors heard her cries and screams but ignored it, they sat there watching for more than half an hour. She finally got away, ran into someones apartment building and when the killer found her the gentleman that saw her just left her. Anyone of the 38 people could have called the police and saved a life but instead they chose not to get involved and because they didn't a woman was murdered.These consequences could have been prevented if the witnesses would have called the cops or went down to see what all the commotion was about. Kitty could have been saved if someone tried to intervene. The changes that could have been made is she could have lived and the attacker could have been caught. then people would not have to worry about being attacked by the same person. If people didn't do the bystander effect more people would be saved from traumatic things like Kitty's case.
ReplyDeleteWho stalked and killed Kitty? What apartment building was she in? You gave some good info Hannah, could have just used a few more details and made some minor grammar corrections. Good essay overall!
DeleteOn October 27, 2009, about ten men beat and raped a fifteen year-old girl outside of her high school gym during the homecoming dance. This went on for approximately two and a half hours while ten or more people gathered around watching, laughing, and even taking pictures. The assistant principal looked outside, saw this large group of un identified people, and did nothing. When all was said and done, the girl was found under a bench, on the brink of death. The bystanders in this situation didn't care about the girl or her pain. This could have been unintentional violence, because they were just focused on hanging out with friends and seeming cool, instead of thinking of the girl. I think that had someone took a second to think about how they would feel if in that situation, or at least thought about how things could have ended for her, perhaps they would have tried to stop the situation or alert someone in a position of authority. If the police had been called, the young girl would not have been in such a terrible state by the end of that night, and the men responsible would have been immediately taken into custody and reprimanded properly. This is just one example of how dangerous the bystander effect can be.
ReplyDeleteBefore I begin I just want to know WHO WAS THAT PRINCPLE???? He obviously needs a vision check, but I do agree with you. When thinking about others by putting yourself in their shoes you gain a new perspective. If those boys would have had empathy for the girl this would have never happened. Also the people around her while she was being raped are terrible bystanders, I could have never imaged a person just stand by and watch a girl get raped.
DeleteI totally agree with you chanara! This is a really good example of bystander effect. There were multiple people that could have spoke up to stop what was happening. I don't understand how someone can just stand and watch another person be raped for that long. Were the guys that did it ever caught and punished?
DeleteI agree with you completely. The bystander effect can be VERY dangerous. The ten or so people that were watching, laughing, and taking pictures were on the scene and could have stopped the whole incident from going any further. No body wanted to step away from the crowd "norm" which was to watch and do nothing to help the girl. Also, the assistant principle could have EASILY alerted officials to at least check the scene out. I think the bystanders should have taken action, because, like that old saying says, it's better to be safe than sorry.
DeleteWow this is so harsh…cold world. However, this is a perfect example of the bystander effect, nobody wanted to break it up , call for help . They just stood there laughing, pointing , taking pictures for their amusement while this poor girl was being abused ….
DeleteMarch 13, 1964, in Kew Gardens, Queens, NY one of the worst cases of the bystander effect occured. A woman walking home from work she was stabbed by a man. She screamed “Oh, my God! He stabbed me! Help me!” Nobody helped her from the several people who heard the scream. The man proceded to stab her and kill her raping her dead body. 12 people reported hearing this going on and said they thought it was a lovers spat, and when they saw the act they said they thought someone else would call the police. This negligence caused her death ultimately. If anyone would've just called police or intervened this could've been prevented.
ReplyDeleteYale new haven hospital a 32 year old man was admitted with a severe rash and kidney and lung failure. He was assigned to 40 doctors but was not treated. The doctors had organized themselves into a handoff ring. Nobody took responsibility. the situation could be avoided by assigning less doctors to the project and the decision making process could be improved by assigning responsibility. (Not finished)
ReplyDeleteOn March 13, 1964 Kitty Genovese was violently murdered. Ms. Genovese arrived at home at 3:15 AM and was confronted by Winston Moseley. She ran away, frightened, but he quickly overtook her and stabbed her. Twice. She screamed for help, and a man yelled at Moseley to leave her alone. Winston Moseley fled the scene but she was left. Then shortly, he returned and proceeded to attack her further, then raping her while she was dying. During the time of her attack, she screamed helplessly, loud and crystal clear. The night was quiet, not much noise, and there wasn't any reason for anyone to ignore it. Though there was one witness, he didn't dial the three digits that could have saved her. The neighbors may not have acted because they probably thought that someone else would have called, but it was most likely intentional-blindness, having their minds occupied somewhere else. This could have been prevented if the neighbors could have checked what occurred, and quickly taking action by calling for help or for someone to call the police. If I was there to witness the murder, I would have not tried to stop the person with the weapon, but to call for help.
ReplyDeleteWhy in the world would those people not help someone screaming for their lives. Like there's a huge difference between a drunken spat and a murderous scream. People need to man up and do their job as citizens and learn how to take precedent honestly. Help a poor girl out. Bystanders the things they COULD'VE prevented.
DeleteI agree with you Levi, the smarter thing would have to call the police. However, If you were in the heat of the moment, would you REALLY have called. I mean, all those people would probably have said the same thing if they were not involved. Still, The person who should really be punished is the man who was at the top of the stairs and opened his door, yet did nothing.
DeleteCharlie gist
ReplyDeleteA tragic event transpired on the date of dec 3rd 2012. The Bystander Effect really happens when we least expect it an this example I'm talking about really is unexpected and shocking. It begins with Mr Ki-Suck Han, a 58 year old guy who was in a predicament with another gentlemen. He was pushed my man named Naeem Davis. The location they were at was in New York at a subway station. The 58 year old man was pushed into the tracks. A Full 22 seconds went by and still no hope. As much as he begged as much as he begged for help no one seemed to care. People were taking pictures,videos,and witnessing the scene. I believe this was terrible act that happened. There up should be people to help. Where is the love. Where is the love.
Just like the man that was pushed, I'm sure the witnesses were absolutely stunned. They were probably frozen. That doesn't really make the situation better, but I can understand. Down in the rails is extremely dangerous, so I would have a hard time imaging a huge number of people rushing down to help.
DeleteI am just appalled that not even anybody at least talked him down of sheer terror.... Those were probably the longest 22 seconds of his life(and the last). Also what could have been changed in the decision making process of the bystanders? Would these decisions have changed the out come?
DeleteOn January 25 1995, Kenneth Conley responded to a radio call for a foot chase for black gang members that killed a police officer. So the Boston Policemen were chasing the the gang members at night on a highway on foot. But while the cops were running, Michael Cox, was in front of the pack and was undercover as a gang member like the suspects they were chasing. The Boston police didn't realize who he was so after they caught up to Michael Cox, they beat on him without asking questions or letting him identify himself. But Kenneth Conley was still in pursuit for the real suspects but he ran past the incident of the cops beating Michael to the ground violently, but Conley never saw it (unintentional blindness). So after the incident Kenneth was fired and put in jail. This all could have been prevented if the cops would have indentified the suspect they were beating on. Or the cops could have notified Kenneth once he ran past them.
ReplyDeleteI think you gave some good information in this essay. However, I think you could have put some more detail into this... Describing the case with a little more back up information. Also, maybe rearranging the structure of wording as well, and there are minor grammar errors. Over all, great story. :)
DeleteI've heard this story before and it's very disappointing. People should think before acting. But I don't think this has anything to do with the bystander effect. since they didn't know that it was him. Since no one was bystanding with knowledge that it was wrong. But they did use excessive force. This has more to do if your really focused on something can you not see something that your not focused on.
DeleteHenry Pabst
ReplyDeleteOn August 12, 2012 in Steubenville, Ohio a 16 year old high school student was raped by at least two of her peers. She was impaired by the consumption of alcoholic beverages at a party that night when the rape happened there was a crowd of teens around encouraging the act. Ma'Lik Richmond and Trent Mays were the two prosecuted for the rape, but there is evidence of others being involved. This evidence was found in the phones of the bystanders, of the 15 phones collected by the police they found hundreds of pictures and videos containing graphic evidence of rape. This horrible case is a prime example of the bystander effect.
The bystanders here stood back (some participated) and took videos and pictures, recording what happened but doing nothing about it. Dozens of the victims peers were there and each one of them could have stopped it from happening by simply calling the police. The reason that no one did this is because there was a normative set in place that put pressure on the teens to not do anything. This really disgusts me to read about these cases where bystanders simply do nothing. If I were in this situation of a bystander I would have intervened immediately to stop this rape, regardless of those around me.
In March 1993, A photograph was takin of a very young girl with a vulture behind her waiting for her to die so it could eat her. The bystander effect in this is that the guy who took the picture scared the vulture away but left the girl there to starve. By being a witness to a suffering woman if he were found to no that this women was there he could be acused of certain things that he may not have done. I think that he could have helped this girl, whom was a toddler, knowing that she was most likely going to die even if the vulture was away. He left a young girl there to die and starve to death instead of simply helping her by doing the littlest thing. In my opinion I think that taking a picture of this girl was very rude and mean when he didn't do anything to help her. Later after the discovery of his photo the man who took the photo committed suicide because he did not want to be part of the young girls sad problem. Killing himself was not the answer.
ReplyDeleteI actually used this same story for mine and I agree with what you are saying. I feel that if he took the picture he could have at least helped the child especially since this was just a helpless toddler. When I read that the photographer killed himself a year afterwards it really proved that he felt guilty and most likely regretted basically leaving this child there to die. Like you said, killing himself didn't solve the problem but it did verified that he felt guilty.
DeleteKitty Genovese died in the early hours of March 13, 1964, a victim of a gruesome stabbing and a death heard by many in that early morning, yet no one reached for the telephone to dial in those three important numbers. The fatal errors made that dawn were that no one aided a woman in need whom was screaming blood murder from the streets. They ignored a stranger's pity cries and in the end a woman died when seventy two eyes peered in on her episode of horror. Yet, the mistakes furthered on much more in this case, with the stalker coming back to finish her off not one, but two times and again fingers fled to there light switches instead of there telephones.
ReplyDeleteWith this situation there is a simple fix for Kitty, it was for someone to be involved and go against the grain and the thought of someone else stepping in to do something for Genovese. Now one can only wonder on of what those strangers could have done differently that night and maybe if they scraped up enough courage and dipped into their good deed jars Kitty Genoese would have lived on continuing through life. Though no time machine has been invented yet, and Miss Genovese still lies somewhere cold, without a pulse. With this we must see that the time to react is when the events are occurring, there is no room to hesitate in an event. One must think on their feet and react to it, knowing at least you did something instead sat on your stump waiting for someone or something to help. Be the change in the world and do something.
On the day of January 25 1995 a tragic incident was caused by unintentional blindness. It all began earlier that day when Boston police officer Kenneth Conley got the alert that a policeman had been shot by some black gang members. Later that night after searching they soon found the suspects driving in a car, however once cornered in a cul-de-sac they could no longer drive so they were forced to run on foot. Unfortunately Michael Cox and black undercover police officer was the first to begin running. So in a sad turn of events the other officers mistook him for one of the gang members and soon had taken him to the ground. While there they never stopped to identify who he was but just pummeled him to a pulp. During this time Kenneth Conley ran past this dog pound of beating and continued in pursuit of the gang members. Eventually everything was brought up in court and Kenneth was asked why he did not stop and his answer was that he did not see them, and unfortunately he was put in jail. This is extreme one case of unintentional blindness. However this happens every day when we do not pay attention. I feel that this could have all been avoided if the cops would have been more careful. Also I think this a case also highlighting some of the faults in the judicial system since Kenneth was the only officer put in jail when he never laid a finger on Michael. Another fault is that the officers should not just beat on any person especially without checking to make sure they have the right guy.
ReplyDeleteKitty Genovese was murdered by an event which could have been helped. In New York City in the borough of Queens on March 13, 1964. She was stabbed to death near her home, as she was walking to her apartment building. The bystander effect was her biggest killer. As she was walking towards her apartment's door, she was approached by Winston Moseley. She ran from him and he then stabbed her twice in the back. She cried out, "Oh my God, he stabbed me! Help me!". Neighbors heard, but only one proceeded to speak out. He screamed out his window, "Let that girl alone!". Moseley ran away but returned when no one came to her assistance. He proceeded to stab her, ending in a tragic death of over 17 stab wounds. The mistakes of listening and watching Genovese as she was brutally attacked. They let her die. This could easily have been prevented if just one of the 38 bystanders would have taken action on the event, but unfortunately, this horrific stabbing lead to a tragic death. Studies show that during experiments, a group of people of two or more won't take action on an event that requires attention. They wait for some one else to take action. Personally if this was me, I would expect for no one to act as a bystander.
ReplyDeleteI think that the bystander effect also had a big part in Kitty Genovese's death too. When her neighbor yelled out of his window to help her, he should have made more of an effort to help. If he saw that she had been stabbed, he could have called to police or at least ran downstairs to help her get to a hospital. I think that the fact that no one else came to assist her after he yelled out of his window caused him to not help her any further.
DeleteGood job Shay! Hearing this story from my perspective, it couldn't sound more horrific. Maybe its just the effects of living in a small town, but one someone is screaming for help and does so multiple times, It should be hard to ignore. 38 people ignored her, might as well be 39 murderers(including the man who stabbed her). Kitty should have been saved, no matter the location of where she was attacked. Hopefully after this report was released to the public the 38 bystanders realized the terrible thing they did by just not acting on the situation. In this case though, the bystander killer strikes again!
DeleteThere was a really sick 32-year-old man who was put in Yale-New Haven Hospital. He had symptoms that normally didn’t go together, so he was being treated by 40 doctors. He had so many doctors there “taking care” of him that he ended up getting worse. There was such an unnecessary number of doctors, that Doctor One would think, “Oh, Doctor Two will do this,” and Doctor Two would do the same thing about Doctor Three. That kept going on until he was hardly being treated at all. Just like in most Bystander Effect cases, the first person to notice thought that the next person would be able to or willing to help. Each of them handed the responsibility off to the next one. In their defense, if 40 individuals wanted to all be examining the same one body, it would literally be impossible. On the same side of that coin, they should have made sure that even if all of them weren’t right on top of him, that there was somebody who was. If they had appointed someone to have a checklist of everything that had to be done, things might’ve been smoother for the doctors and less traumatic for the man.
ReplyDeleteReally good example of the bystander effect Sidney. Certainly one I've never heard of and I found it very interesting. Since it was an unnecessarily large group of doctors it's no wonder one's going to feel not that important and end up leaving the work to the rest while the rest is thinking the exact same thing; even I would think the rest are working something out. Nice phrasing too.
DeleteThis is a really good example of bystander effect. The doctors should have taken better care of the patient instead of passing it on to the next one. It's their job to care for the person that comes to them. You are so right they should of had a chart with a schedule saying who was helping him each day. I hope doctors aren't like that now a days.
DeleteWow i can't believe this. How could all of those doctors just assume that the another doctor had already treated him? They should have asked the patient if he had be treated or anything else like that. Or they could have asked the other doctors if they treated him or not. This bystander effect really blows my mind.
DeleteI totally agree, there should have been someone to make sure he was being treated. With 40 doctors seeing one patient, it's kind of crazy that he was receiving barely (if any) treatment. You would think that at least one would step up, but the bystander effect took complete control in this case. It makes me wonder why so many doctors were treating one patient. Maybe if the number of doctors was decreased to about 10 (if he was seriously that sick), the patient would receive better treatment and get well.
DeleteIn 1964, 28 year old Kitty Gensovese was caught in a perfect example of "wrong place, wrong time incident". Winston Mosely chased and stabbed her in the early morning hours. He then come back and raped her while she was still alive. This would be a great example of the bystander effect because all her neighbors heard her screams, and supposed that the others would react by calling the police. But then again we don't know as to why they didn't call the police. These effect account for how she could of been saved or not raped. This situation of been avoided if a neighborhood watch was established, with then some kind of curfew. They could also instill a buddy system so then they the other could of called for help more effectively.
ReplyDeleteA. The most shocking event was the Richmond high school incident a terrible incident that happened at a school dance in which 10 people were involved and 20 people stood around and saw it happened laughing and taking pictures with their cameras and made no attempt at all to stop it Also there was adults ,security guards and teachers but they still didn't make an attempt to stop that event. Also a Teacher saw the students all together while it happened but didn't bother to go see what's happening to cause the congregation .
ReplyDeleteB. Needless to say that all of this could have been prevented . The Richmond high school incident would have been prevented of someone spoke to save the student and some people can because the bystander effect is just a matter of someone taking responsibility and charge to change someone's fate for the good of the people and so it will make a chain reaction of other people helping too.
I believe why no one stepped in to help out was because they assume higher authorities like teachers would take care of it , bystander effect. However that's no justifiable reason as to do nothing and watch . The people looking very wrong are the higher authorities in this situation because they know better . But everyone else should have at least felt a need to help . Can peer pressure or the effect of no one doing anything really prevent someone from helping even if they really wants to help ?
DeleteThe story I tell today is about a Jew whose name is Ilan Halimi. he was abducted in Paris by Moroccan "Barbarians" they beat him and burnt him just to extract a ransom. neighbors and other people knew it was happening and even watched it but did nothing to stop it. When his body was found he was more blueish then flesh-colored.
ReplyDeleteI think in this society we don't think about the consequences if we don't do something, and this society influences us to just go with the flow and not to stand out. People are comforted in their own zone and don't like to stick out which would make them uncomfortable and most everyone hates to be uncomfortable. also when no ones else took action to stop it the people who knew and did nothing about it felt it wasn't their responsibility to do anything about it. no one else did anything to stop it so they didn't do it either.
This could've been stopped just by the neighbors who heard this happening to call and tell the police. All it took to stop this was one simple action. If the people who knew about it just made a phone call to the cops or maybe even tell the people who are doing it that they should stop it. If one person would've tried to stop it I'm sure others would've helped to stop it.
This is horrible. Why would someone do that to another human being. I feel like in this situation the bystanders could do very little. If they tried to stop the "barbarians" they would probably end up beating them. All they could really do is call the police but that may have been enough to stop the inhumane act.
DeleteI agree with your post Daniel. It's in our nature as human beings to do the things that feel right for us. If we're the only ones taking action during an uncomfortable situation instinctively we would feel like we're the ones doing the wrong thing. We do in fact need more people in our society to not be afraid to stand out. To be the person encouraging others to do the right thing instead of being the person too afraid to do the right thing.
DeleteAnabel Javier
ReplyDeleteThe dreadful and horrifying case of Shanda Sharer was one to terrorize a county from early 1992. Four teenage girls abducter 12-year old Shanda from her bedroom at about midnight, fooling her into thinking they were going to see a mutual friend. The leader of the group, evil Tackett, stabbed and tortured her her 'till morning when she set her on fire, alive. The other three girls helped at the beginning before getting scared to death and wanting to do something; but they were just either too scared or a bunch of cowards.
I think the three girls thought that it was too late when they realized the situation was getting too bad to stop Tackett or it wouldn't make a difference. They also could of had faith that Tackett wasn't really going to kill her or that the events wouldn't have been the way they turned out to be.
Oh my, that's terrible. I had heard of this case, but hadn't really looked into it. I didn't realize that the other girls had tried to step up to make the leader stop. I can see why they would be hesitant to say something to Tackett, though - they knew firsthand what she was capable of. They should've known that in a situation like that, it was likely for them to be bystanders by the end of it, and tried to stay out of that.
DeleteI totally with what you say about these girls. It is horrible that they thought it was too late to save this girl from the harm of their friends. It is crazy that girls will kill over things that may or may not of happened. This girl would still be alive if these girls would of just done the right things and got help. Now they have to live with this regret.
DeleteVery good points there Kaitlyn. The Holocaust could of have been prevented from even starting if a people were to tell others this really isn't right thing to do. The soldiers and the people told to do all this bad things really could of stand up and say no, but sadly there was just too much racialism, in my opinion. Great example of the bystander effect.
ReplyDeleteHow might these effects account for the (real or alleged) mistakes that were made (be specific and detailed - what evidence appears to be present)?
ReplyDeleteKitty Genovese was murdered on March 13, 1964. This accounts for the by-stander effect where there was 38 witnesses that could have intervened to help her by calling the police and/or trying to stop the man but instead preferred to not get involved where as in effect she died. It is surprising not because she was murdered but because no one dared or tried to do anything to stop the criminal or the horrific event. I feel that there was an informational influence where the people in the apartment buildings believed that other people knew more of the situation. Or perhaps they believed that the other people were going to be doing some thing.
How could this situation or resulting violations have been prevented? Specifically, what are some changes that could have been made in the decision-making process that might have led to better results?
The Kitty Genovese case could have been prevented by the bystanders in the apartment buildings intervening by calling the police, trying to stop the man. I feel that if one person called the cops it would have made other do the same. Or if someone called out to the criminal and threatened him that they would all act together more people would have probably try to stop him. Maybe if one person came out to help then they all would.
Daniel Markley, I can't believe that's a true story! It's so disturbing to think that people are capable of such horrible things. Part of me feels like the people who stood around and did nothing were just as bad as those who committed the crimes.
ReplyDeleteEugene Smith,
ReplyDeleteI agree. It was crazy for those officers to beat someone up without identifying them properly. You're also correct about this situation highlighting problems in the judicial system. It's hard to believe someone could walk by the scene of such brutality and not notice what's going on. However, I think it's very wrong and unjust for Kenneth to have been put in prison for so long.
Anabel Javier , I disagree even though the girls were deep in trouble they shouldn't have kept quiet they should have told the police even though they were going to get into trouble either way because than all of them shanda would have been alive but I do understand that they did feel panicked and distressed when Tackett was going to far
ReplyDelete1.) This shows that the people were bystanders because they didn't do anything to stop it until it was to late. Also no one called the police until she was gone. I don't understand how you can watch someone die and not do anything especially if their getting stabbed.
ReplyDelete2.) if the bystanders would have called the police instead of thinking someone else would do it. It would have only taken one person to make one phone call to save this women's life. I feel so bad just one person could have saved a life and made a big change.
Eugene smith . I agree with what you are saying people especially cops should pay more careful attention to what's happening and what they are doing so that incidents like this don't repeat or become more serious than this
ReplyDeleteIn 1964, Katherene Genovese was walking home from work at night. Out of nowhere a man stabbed her in the back. She screamed "Oh my god, help please he stabbed me!" A man looked out his window and asked what was going on, putting it off as a drunken spat. The man ran away as Ms. Genovese crawled her way to her building. She made it inside when the man returned and stabbed her a few more times. Someone in the building had even opened their door and seen her but they didn't help! She eventually bled out. The reason the man killed her, was "He just felt like killing a women."31 people heard her screaming that night but nobody helped, thinking that someone else would help. This is the epitome of "The bystander effect".It was a terrible thing that all those people knew what was going on but they did nothing to help.
ReplyDeleteThis was entirely preventable and she would've lived much longer. But she died an early death because of the carelessness of others.
Annabel Javier.
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely horrifying. Her friends wanted to leave and they could've before anything had happened, called the police. Se would still be alive. But they didn't, they stood by and watched as that poor girls was murdered and tortured. This is a p great apexample of the bystander effect.
Joel Yap
ReplyDeleteThat is horrible. They filmed it while she was probably screaming for help and nobody bothered to help. Even the principle shrugged it off because he didn't want to get involved. Another great example of the bystander effect. Absolutely horrible.
On October 27, 2009 for than 2 hours as many as 20 people watched or took part in the sexual assault against a 15 year old girl. They also beat her while the bystanders laughed and took pictures on their phones. The principal of the school glanced out his window and saw the crowd, but that it didn't concern him and did nothing. When the assault was over they found her under a bench half alive. It seemed like in this case that the bystanders had no conscience. They all watched her get beat and sexually assaulted and did nothing. If someone would have called the police instead of standing around do nothing this whole issue would have been resolved. The girl would have been in a less terrible state, and wouldn't had to be hospitalized. None of the 20 something went up and said they witnessed the crime so it is hard to find a suspect. Now even though the bystanders could have did something, the real bystander in this situation is the principal. He should of done something, if you were the principal and you saw a gang of people outside in a circle wouldn't you think something is going on. I feel like if you are a bystander to a crime you are almost as guilty as the person committing the crime
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you because you would expect the principle to be one of the first ones to respond especially if they seen a unusual crowd outside their window. If I was to see a crowd I would assume something big was occurring. I feel that those 20 people didn't get involved because they didn't want to be known as a snitch. Now that girl is scarred for the rest of her life because of the 20 selfish and careless witnesses including the principle didn't take any action on the crime. Just as you said a bystander to a crime is just as guilty as the person committing the crime.
DeleteIn March 1993 in a sub-Sahara area in Africa, a photo journalist named Kevin Carter encountered a situation. There was a small toddler alone on the ground, severely emaciated, whimpering and crying while attempting to crawl to an health station for food. Near her, about 20ft away, a vulture was perched on the ground behind her, waiting for her to die so it can eat her. Carter spent 20 minutes watching and waiting for the bird to hopefully spread its wings so he could take a "perfect picture". Seeing that the bird wasn't going to spread its wings, Carter just took the picture as it was, scared the bird off and left the toddler to continue crawling on her own. After being asked about the situation, Carter claimed he just didn't want to get involved. That next year he committed suicide because he could no longer handle the stress and accusations. From my perspective, I think Kevin Carter could've at least helped the toddler after he captured his "infamous photo". I mean the little girl most likely died all because Carter claimed that he "didn't want to get involved". But if he would have just took the initiative to offer his assistance, he could've possibly saved that toddlers life and been known as a hero instead of a worthless bystander.
ReplyDeleteThis situation is similar to what I seen in my experience . Many people don't help out or get involve claiming that it's not their problem or because they don't want to be burden . Why do humans act so inhuman ? I'm sure mostly every human would want to be helped out when in trouble . So why not treat others as they want to be treated ? I ask myself many questions like these . How can we so selfish as to ignore and live on with our life's knowing just let a person die ? How can they live with that ? Are doctors the only compassionate ones ? If they can't save a life and try absolutely everything to save it but fail ; they feel terrible ,guilty , and in suffering . Unlike those who walk by scenes like it's a plastic bag rolling around . Is being inhuman human nature ? Can we humans define human nature when being human ?
DeleteI'm surprised that Carter didn't at less try to do more for the poor toddler. Who was helpless and defenseless. The toddle had no way in protecting it's self from the vulture. It's not like we can blame the vulture. It's in it's nature to eat and hunt down flesh, but as for Carter to stand around for 20 long mins to await for the toddle to die and do absolutely nothing is pitiful. Carter had no intentions of helping the toddler. Instead of winning a prize for his picture he should of been committed for a crime or some thing there's no way you can do that and get away with it. I personally didn't fine anything beautiful in his photography. I don't it was worth winning any prize . :P just my opinion.
Delete
ReplyDeleteJacqueline Borja
It was a normal day , my co-worker and I were at subway for lunch . We were finishing our meal when suddenly I notice a senior women having trouble standing up by the bathroom door . My co-worker and I rushed to her when I saw that she was falling down . My co-worker reached to her on time . Her husband was trying to get her attention and kept asking her what was wrong with her . She didn't seem to understand , hear , see , or even stand up on her own . Clearly she was in trouble and I notice that no one came to help except my co-worker and I . The manger didn't even check to see what was the commotion about . There were two nurses having lunch with a clear view of what was going on , and for more than half the time that my co-worker and I were helping , they ate their lunch and watched . I kept calling for the manager to call the ambulance , and it took 10 minutes to get her to come talk to the husband so she could get permission to call them . However , she clearly was upset and not wanting to help at all and it took at least 30 minutes to finally call the ambulance . And finally , 5 minutes before the ambulance arrived the two nurses decided to help out . These actions seem to have been a bystander effect , even though my co-worker and I helped , no one else's helped until a long period of time . They had like a silent agreement within themselves that it wasn't their problem . And that me is inhuman.
To this day I have no idea how the senior women is doing , but if she didn't make , it could have been prevented if everyone pitched in to bring help to her much faster .
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ReplyDeleteOn December 3, 2012, at the Times Square subway station, Ki-Suk Han and Naeem Davis got into disagreement that ended up becoming a fight. Han was a 58 year old man and Davis was a 30 year old man who was homeless. Han was pushed down onto the subway tracks and begged for help for about 20 seconds. People stood by, watched, even took pictures, but did nothing to help the man. Han was hit by the train as it pulled into the station.
ReplyDeleteThe bystander effect prevented the surrounding people from helping out.
They saw that no one else was doing anything about the situation, and decided to follow along. They did not want to go against what everyone else thought was “the right thing to do.” People were taking pictures, so they must have not been alarmed. Nobody had the confidence to step away from the pack and do the right thing.
The bystanders could have helped Han up out of the tracks. With the help of many people, it would have been very possible to get him before the train hit. Even before it got that far, the bystanders could have stopped the altercation from taking place. They could have broken up the fight, or even before all that, prevented the fight from happening by helping the men work the issue out. If one person had stepped up and did not fall under the spell of the bystander effect, it would have meant that no disagreement would have taken place, which means no fight, which means no one being hit by a train.
ON September 10, 2008 police arrested a man who attacked a dozen subway passenger with a hammer while other riders did nothing to stop the assault.The man continuely struck the passengers while others stood and watched in fear. This attack however could of been pervented. With almost 10 bystanders the attacker could of been taken down before causing more harm. The man could of been presenting strange behavior and the passengers could of got help from the authority. Also the bystanders could of stopped the attack as soon as the attack happened. The victims of this attack were very surprised that not one person stood up to help. Personally I thing the only reason the other passengers didn't try to help is because they were afraid the man would turn on them. I mean this man was attacking people for no reason he wouldn't hesitate to attack them as well.
ReplyDeleteGood job Riley. For me, this is the first time I have heard this story, but when it comes to the bystander effect, I have heard it dozens of times. Yet another instance where innocent people were attacked by both the attacker and the 10 people who stood watch. I guess it does make sense how in shock the other passengers were by not only one victim, but 12, how crazy the scene must have been. But out of 10 people around with nothing keeping them back but fear, someone should have tried to aid in the attack before it came down to a dozen people in need, and no one with the guts to stop it.
DeleteThe Rwanda Genocide was a major mass slaughter that happened in Africa between two tribes, the Hutu and the Tutsi. The Hutu and the Tutsi had a major hatred amongst each other but it wasn't until the killings began that the hatred went further. Just like the holocaust with the Nazis and Jews, everyone stood as a bystander and watched as the brutal killings was taking place before their eyes. In this case however, no one stopped these killings. Many innocent people were killed: children, woman, men and even their own who went against them or defended the Tutsi's. They own no money to all posses guns so the used machetes to cut off their arms and legs letting them bleed to death. Sometimes they were even given the option to pay for bullets so they could have a fast death and not a painful one. In the end it was the Tutsi RPF itself that ended the violence. The world stood around watching and others avoiding the situation completely. Thousands of people were killed and yet no other country so much as helped end these murders taking place. As soon as people began to get killed and the government was allowing it, other people should have stepped in. Bringing in troops to help the innocent citizens. If anything, the arguments that these tribes had among each other should have been a clue that when the Hutu's took over it would be a disaster. People should have stepped in to help their government and bring peace among these tribes, but no one did. The world itself acted as a bystander and when the killings began no one got involved expecting the other to do something and more shockingly no one got involved because of the military and welfare expenses. It shocks history that time after time we acted as bystanders and turn away from our own flesh and blood, cause in reality we are all equal and when one falls the other should lift them up instead of pushing them down; or worse, leaving there.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with sofia the world and these close by country's stood around waiting for the madness to stop. What they should of have done was help the tribes come to a conclusion and make peace. Being a bystander simply because of military and welfare cost is pitty. reason for innocent kids to be brutally killed. The children had nothing to do with the tribes not getting along and having problems. They deserved to die peacefully. The way they made them play for bullets if they wanted a fast death is horrible. How do they expect you to pay for your own death. Of course I would probably pay for the bullets to is I was in there situation. I would like to wait for ever to bleed out and die in pain. I could barely handle a paper cut. No way I would be able to handle the pain of getting my libs cut off.
DeleteDexter morrison
ReplyDeleteJanuary 21,2006 IIlan Halimi was a french jew who was kidnapped by moroccan "barbians" , he was tortured for 24 days! Dying on february 13th. His kidnappers abused him all type of ways by stabbing him, burning his body with lighters and cigarettes, broke all his fingers, cutting him , stripping him and abused his testicle area. His testicles looked like "blackened oranges"! He had broken bones, he had one ear and one big toe missing. During this time, neighbors heard the noise, they even came to watch the commotion. No one helped… At the end of the day 27 people were charged for joining in… 19 people have been convicted & given long prison sentences. The results in this situation could've been better if the neighbors called the cops or anybody to get help. However they acted as if nothing happened so that poor little man had to suffer. :(
Nayely De La Cruz
ReplyDelete-Before I begen I would just like to say that I went over most of these discussion (I usually don't) but, as I read though my fellow classmates discussions I felt disgust that no one could help in any of these situations. How could someone just sit around and watch these crimes being committed I just don't understand ...
One that came across to me the most shocking took place
On the night of homecoming. A time most would say would be a memorable in a teenagers life. A time you can look back and remember a beautiful night for most high school students, but for this teenage student was a nightmare on the night of Saturday, Oct 24, 2009 appoximetly 9:30 at Richmond High school a poor girl was gang raped repededly by a group of man ages 15-20 in the courtyard of the school which laste 2 1/2 hours where she was beaten with a "foreign object." The Homecoming was being held in the gymnasium of the school. While about 2 dozen bystanders stood around laughing and taken picture of the young girl being raped by 6 man and not one had the decency to call for help or even dial 9-1-1 . All it took was one out of the 2 dozen bystanders to help. A situation where was 100% perventable. After some time a girl heard about the rape from her boyfriend. At which point she called the police for help. The victim was found unconsicious under a picnic table. She was then air lifed to a near by hospital in critical condition. Footage and photographs were then collected off of the students phone.
The bystanders in this situation was 100% preventable for everyone. The principal of the school seen the crowd and did absolutely nothing to check what was going on. With teachers outside and still no one check up on the group is absolutely shocking. All it took was one person to call for help when all the pictures and video's started even before they should of said this is enough.
Martha, Negrete
ReplyDeleteI have read many bystander effects but the one that interested me the most was the case of Kitty Genovese it just flustered me how so many can watch a horrendous accident and do nothing while someone is getting hurt. On March 13 1964, in New York City ,28 year old Kitty Genovese was brutally stabbed and murdered. After the their attack she died more then 30 people heard her cry for help she was left to die knowing someone could of helped. Maybe they couldn't save her from dying but they could of tried to let her know someone cared but she was left there knowing no one helped. Only one person called the police but it was to late she had been killed by the time they called. The police said if they have called sooner she could still be alive so many bystanders could of save her all they need to do is call 911. Winston Moseley confessed on murdering Kitty Genovese the saddest part was he picked her randomly he said he selected women. Kitty Genovese died for no reason she was just at the wrong place at the wrong time knowing that the people that heard her scream for help should have remorse.
This could easily been changed just by one person picking up the phone and called 911 out of 38 only one called but it was too late to save her. What they could of done was by the first scream Kitty cried someone could of looked out to see what was going on. Maybe she would of still died but theirs always a "what if" the police said if they made the call sooner thing would be different for Kitty Genovese.
In reply to Sydney's post.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that this event occurred but i do agree that it fits the category of the bystander effect! This situation could have easily been prevented if one of the girls had called the cops. Perhaps it was due to the fact they didn't want to do different then their friends but that does not make it okay. They also could have been in a slight state of shock and that's why they just stood there. As you mentioned one of the girls told a friend all about it and maybe it was in hope that the friend would report it...but nobody did.
In reply to Chanara's post.
ReplyDeleteThis story is crazy! It's very scary to hear that something like this happened outside the gym at homecoming when our own homecoming is right around the corner. The even scarier thing is that there was a huge crowd by the sound of it and not one person did anything. It sounds like people were caught up in the moment but it doesn't make it any less terrible. Because of the men's stupidity a young girl was left almost dead! It's just ridiculous.
On October 24, 2009, a sixteen year old girl was beaten and gang raped by six men ranging in age from 15 to 21 for over two hours straight without anyone calling the authorities. The incident took place on the night of her homecoming dance, when she was invited to go around the side of her high school building to have a drink with her friend and some guys. When offered to have sex with them, she refused and paid for it immensely. Allegedly there were twenty people that witnessed and some even recorded this traumatic experience and no one even bothered to call the police. When asked why, some said that they didn't think that it was their responsibility to do anything,or they didn't want to be chastised themselves and be labeled as a "snitch", and others said they didn't really know what they could do to stop it. The cops were eventually notified by a young girl named Margarita Vargas who found out what was happening from her brother-in-law who found out through a passer-by in the neighborhood. Margarita was rewarded with an honor from the Richmond City Council for being brave enough to step in. This accident reminds me a lot of the Kitty Genovese incident that also involved a woman being raped and beaten to death in her hallway apartment. She also had over a dozen people witness her murder but, no one helped or even called the police. The people that witnessed these events take place are bystanders. No one spoke up or made an effort to help because of the fear of what their peers would think. If someone would have just tried to help out, I guarantee that all 19 of the other witnesses would have helped out too.
ReplyDeleteIn March 1993, Kevin Carter a Photojournalist took one of the most controversial photo. he was in when he took the photo.The photo shows a female toddler, alone and severely injuried, attempting to crawl to an aid station for food. A vulture is standing on the ground behind her, waiting for her to die so it can eat her.For 20 minutes he waited for the perfect picture while the female toddler whimpered and panted, Carter did nothing for the 20 minutes. He took the photo and scared the vulture away then left. Till this day no one knows what became of her. This was denied by Joao Silva, a journalist friend of Carter, who stated that the child’s parents left for only a moment to take food from a plane. But whatever happened Carter later claimed that he just “didn’t want to get involved.” He killed himself the next year, after winning the Pulitzer for this photograph. This event could have been prevented easily, Carter could have stayed and waited for the parent of the young toddler and/or he could have took the younger toddler to get help.
ReplyDelete