⏰ 60-Second Psychology: The Psychology of the Bystander Effect

- Hey, everyone, it's Dr. Jen,

and welcome back to
"60-Second Psychology",

where I talk about a theory, concept,

or psychological phenomenon
in just 60 seconds.

Today's topic, The Bystander Effect.

If you witnessed a person in
trouble right in front of you,

you take action to help the person, right?

Maybe not.

The Bystander Effect

is a strange psychological phenomenon

that's been observed in groups of people.

It's characterized by the
un unlikeliness of a group

to help an individual in distress.

The bigger the group of witnesses,

the less likely people in
the group will be to help.

Here's why.

Studies by psychologists
Bibb Latane and John Darley

found that the amount of time
it takes witnesses to offer

or seek help when a stranger is in need

increases when there are
more witnesses nearby.

Latane also found that the
percentage of witnesses

that offer help decreases

the more witnesses that are around.

His 1969 study found that 70% of people

would help a woman in distress

when they were the only witness,

but only about 40% offered assistance

when other people were also present.

The Bystander Effect could have

two major contributing factors.

First, diffusion of responsibility,

which means that because
there are others around,

individuals don't feel as
much pressure to take action.

Second, social acceptance may have a role.

When other witnesses fail
to react to an incident,

individuals often take
this as a social signal

that a response is not
needed or not appropriate.

To summarize, emergencies are
often chaotic and confusing.

When more witnesses are around,

we may often look to others to react

or determine the appropriate behavior.

The good news is that recently,

psychologists have found
that if one person in a crowd

does help a person in distress,

then everybody else in that crowd

is also more likely to help.

Have you ever been in
a bystander situation?

Were you the first to act?

Did you hold back,

or were you inspired by someone
else swinging into action?

Another thing, if you're
ever that person in distress,

try to focus on one person in the crowd,

lock eyes and ask for help.

Often, this will spur
the crowd into action.

Let me know what you think
in the comments below,

and as always,

please like and subscribe
if you enjoyed this video,

and I'll see you in the next one.

Bye.

(bright subtle music)