Curious about the psychological concept of the "Bystander Effect" I decided to do some research. The case of Kitty Genovese is often cited as an example of the "bystander effect" though as earlier noted this case is now widely thought to have been over interpreted or even misinterpreted. It is also the case that originally stimulated social psychological research in this area. Ms. Genovese was stabbed to death in 1964 by a serial rapist and murderer. According to newspaper accounts, the attack lasted for at least a half an hour. The murderer attacked Ms. Genovese and stabbed her, but then fled the scene after attracting the attention of a neighbor. The killer then returned ten minutes later and finished the assault. Newspaper reports after Genovese's death claimed that 38 witnesses watched the stabbings and failed to intervene or even contact the police. This led to widespread public attention, and many editorials.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNLBjv1ElCw&feature=related
According to an article published in American Psychologist in 2007, the original story of Kitty Genovese's murder was exaggerated by the media. Specifically, there were not 38 eyewitnesses, the police were contacted at least once during the attack, and many of the bystanders that overheard the attack could not actually see the event. The authors of the article suggest that the story continues to be misrepresented in social psychology textbooks because it functions as a parable and serves as a dramatic example for students. Still, the general lack of timely assistance to a woman in dire need of help whether their were 3, 13, or 38 witnesses seems rather appalling. But for those out who would point and say "Aha.. so the story is not 100% accurate" I offer you this one which is (and serves as another example of the Bystander effect.
Petru Barladeanu was accidentally shot by Italian mafia in a crowded street in the center of Napoli close to the Spanish Quarter, on the 26th of May, 2009. The event took place at a moment when the street was full of people who witnessed the assault at early hours of the evening. Taking refuge at the entrance of a station, Petru Barladeanu fell and died half an hour later in the presence of his panicked wife who called for help. As shown in the CCTV video of the event the victim was surrounded by ordinary people who looked at the victim without giving any help whatsoever and then fled the scene. The victim eventually died and the perpetrators were convicted only months later. None of those who refused to assist the victim were either identified or charged by the prosecutors. Even as I read this I was shocked. I could not imagine how a street full of people would ignore the presence of a mortally wounded man in need of life saving medical attention or the pleas of his wife for help.
To further emphasize this psychological phenomena here is are 2 video experiments done to demonstrate the effect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIvGIwLcIuw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OdKow7IAuw&feature=related
Imagine seeing a man dragging off a young girl as she kicks, screams, begs for help and yells "Leave me alone you are not my father." Now imagine doing nothing to help her as she gets dragged off. Now imagine the thousands of young children every year who disappear, never to be found again or found brutally murdered. Imagine seeing an infant trapped inside a care during a hot summer day crying as he/she literally bakes to death because a the adult in charge of keeping them safe was too interested in a local sale or their doctors appointment. Yes people, these things do happen - you see it in the media all the time.
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