Would You help?
The Bystander Effect is a phenomenon in which people are less likely to provide assistance and offer help in an emergency situation when other people are present. It is said that the probability of helping is inversely proportional to the number of bystanders. Therefore, observers are more likely to help if there are few to no witnesses.
Conformity
Conformity tends to take control of individuals while the urge to help is diminished. With a larger group, diffused responsibility occurs and conformity to the group’s opinion happens. They are less likely to provide assistance if no one else in the group is, conforming to the group’s consensus of not helping. On the other hand, when there are less observers, a person is more likely to provide assistance because they are not necessarily conforming to the people around them.
Priming and Bystander Apathy
Priming has the ability to both directly and indirectly influence behavior. According to a study determining the influence of prosocial priming and bystander apathy with helping behavior, it was determined that those primed with a construct of a group displayed less intention to help, consistent with the implicit Bystander Effect. Findings also suggested that even though there was an intention to help, it was not always followed by commitment. Priming has the ability to either inhibit or encourage helping behavior; those primed in a prosocial condition were more likely to help!
How Can I Stop The effect?!
LEADERSHIP!
Leaders are the people who step above the normal behavior and take the initiative to set an example for those to follow. A few important qualities about being a leader can help differ the unwanted behavior. Showing care and empathy around others can help strengthen bonds between one another, which can show how a leader can care about others. The other quality that a leader can have is critical thinking abilities. In the given situation a true leader can show compassion for others while thinking about the situation critically to make an informed decision and act upon the situation.
