The Bystander Effect: Why We Sometimes Don’t Help Others in Need

By: Arihana Saikia

Imagine it's 2.30 am, the clouds are down, and the fog blocks the streetlamps, the visibility is almost 0 and a man is following you. He has a knife on his right hand and a handkerchief, mostly soaked in chloroform in his left. The houses along the street are full of spectators yet no one seems to notice you. Suddenly, you feel an arm around you. The knife is being stabbed against your torso and there’s nothing you can do. You scream for help but the people, just watch. What would you do as you bleed to death? 

Well, something similar happened to Kitty Genovese on March 13, 1961, in the city of New York. The case was solved with the suspect being sentenced to life. But this case brought an enthralling phenomenon. 

This phenomenon, called the bystander effect or the Genovese effect explains why someone witnessing a crime would not help the victim. Psychologists Bibb Latané and John Darley built their groundbreaking careers by investigating the Bystander Effect. Through controlled experiments, they demonstrated that individuals are less likely to assist a victim of a crime when others are present. The likelihood of intervention decreases as the number of witnesses grows.

The Bystander Effect has often been interpreted by the media as a reflection of societal decline, portraying it as a cautionary tale about diminishing compassion and moral responsibility, particularly in urban environments.

There may have been moments in your life where you saw someone in need but chose not to intervene. This hesitation can stem from guilt, ego, the surrounding environment, or fear of judgment. In addition to these, there are various reasons why people might refrain from helping.  

Take the case of Kitty Genovese, where many of her neighbors chose not to get involved. For instance, one neighbor, let’s call him Sharan, heard her screams and opened his window to investigate. On seeing Genovese bleeding on the ground, he contacted another neighbor to discuss what to do. The response was disheartening: “Don’t get involved.” Eventually, Sharan did call the police after hearing someone else suggest it, but by the time help arrived, Genovese was in an ambulance and later pronounced dead.  

One significant factor behind such inaction is the lack of responsibility. The more people present during an emergency, the less likely anyone is to act. This occurs because spectators often assume someone else has already reported the situation. Without a personal sense of urgency or responsibility, individuals tend to wait for others to take initiative.  

Additionally, for introverted individuals, helping can bring unwanted attention, making them fear being judged by others. In the context of the bystander effect, this fear of judgment often freezes people into inaction. Concerns about making mistakes, overstepping boundaries, or embarrassing themselves become magnified when others are watching. As a result, they hesitate, assuming someone else is better equipped or will step in to help.

Well, even though you might find yourself analyzing as to why you didn't help a certain person at that certain time, here are the ways to overcome the bystander effect:

-Be Aware of the Phenomenon: Understanding the bystander effect and its influence on human behavior can help you recognize it in real-life situations.

-Take Personal Responsibility: Remind yourself that waiting for others to act might mean no one will. Assume the role of the helper, regardless of the crowd.

-Learn Basic Intervention Skills: Knowing first aid, CPR, or conflict resolution increases confidence in responding effectively during emergencies.

-Directly Address Others: If you need help, point to a specific person and give clear instructions (e.g., "You in the red shirt, call 911!"). This reduces the diffusion of responsibility.

-Foster Empathy: Practice putting yourself in others’ shoes. Strong empathy makes it harder to ignore someone in distress.

-Encourage a Culture of Helping: Normalize and celebrate altruistic behavior in your community. This can create a ripple effect, making intervention more likely in group settings.

-Act Despite Uncertainty: Even if you're unsure about the best way to help, doing something is better than doing nothing. Small actions can inspire others to step in too.

In a well-known study, researchers found that, when bystanders were alone, 75% helped when they thought a person was in trouble. However, when a group of six people were together, only 31% helped. So, don't make yourself regret as to why you couldn't be that superhero. Overcoming the bystander effect starts with realizing that action begins with you. Whether it's taking responsibility, learning to help, or simply stepping up despite uncertainty, even small acts can inspire others to follow. Overcoming the bystander effect starts with realizing that action begins with you. Whether it's taking responsibility, learning to help, or simply stepping up despite uncertainty, even small acts can inspire others to follow.