Bystander Effect And The Murder Of Kitty Genovese

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In 1968 the Bystander Effect was introduced by two social psychologists named John Darley and Bibb Latané. Together they conducted “The Bystander Apathy Experiment” which was influenced by the murder of Kitty Genovese to help explain or even solve the reasoning for the murder of Kitty Genovese or people in similar situations as hers. John Darley and Bibb Latané were troubled with the lethargic neighbors who had a lack of concern and reaction while witnessing the murder which is what lead the two brilliant psychologists to undergo the “Bystander Apathy Experiment.” To begin, the psychologists recruited a number of university students and briefed them before proceeding with the experiment by telling them that they were going to participate…show more content…
In 1986 the “Social Norms” theory was introduced by two psychologists with the names of Perkins and Berkowitz. Together they identified this theory posits that our behavior is influenced by misperceptions of how our peers think and act typically in regards to certain health and safety issues such as the use of alcohol, tobacco, Driving under the influence, and even seatbelt usage. Being conformists in Today’s society means that one’s practices, attitudes, and other actions are in accord with prevailing social standards. Therefore, if one was to intervene in front of a large group of people they would be breaking the rules of being a conformists resulting in one standing out more and therefore becoming more similar to an individualist, which some may find dangerous in Today’s society. Some strive for perfection and want to be just like everyone in one’s group membership, and if one strives to be more individualistic or different it may destroy one’s reputation, which can be another cause to not intervening. Some would believe that in an emergency situation the above would not matter, but the above has a surprisingly large effect. Humans simply crave to behave in correct and socially acceptable ways, and bystanders are less likely to intervene in ambiguous situations as well as “love-quarrels”, or in other words domestic relationships…show more content…
An apathetics’ meaning to life or tenacity is nonexistent, and according to positive psychology, the manifestation of apathy can result in an individual feeling that they do not retain a definite level of skill or dexterity required to encounter certain obstacles and battles such as being present while someone being harmed and not doing anything about it (The Bystander Effect) . They may even find that it may result in distinguishing no challenge at all or that the specific circumstance is extraneous to them. Apathy is however something that all people face in some capacity because it is a natural response to either (or all of the following) disappointment, dejection, and
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