6 Shocking Social Experiments !
Most people tend to think that, when in an emergency and in need of help, the best case scenario would be if one is in a crowded area as opposed to being in an uncrowded one. There is an assumption made in this situation that being surrounded by people means that one has a higher chance or receiving aid. However, research has identified a psychological phenomenon, known as the Bystander effect, which entails otherwise; the Bystander effect, which is exhibited in situations where there are a lot of bystanders around, shows how the more bystanders there are, the less likely any of them will help. This is due to the fact that, in a busy area, a person might not even notice the emergency, or, if the others around do not react to the emergency, then this person will assume it is not an emergency, or, if this person recognizes the emergency, then he/she might assume someone else will step in to help, or, if this person decides to help, then he/she might fear any repercussions for his/her actions with the presence of so many witnesses around. In fact, as shown by several experiments on this issue, where scientists compared the reaction of people in busy areas to an emergency as compared to those of people in uncrowded ones, people tend to provide help more when there aren't a lot of people around, probably because they feel a higher sense of duty towards that person in need. (“Bystander Effect”)
The Bystander Effect - Is Safety In Numbers?
By: Hana ElShiaty