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From: Coolpsychologist
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  • i don't think it is because we don't want to be apart of a "group" i just think there are so many conmen/conwomen out there that we don't want to get screwed. its like not giving a homeless man money, we don't know they have a mental disorder, its the fact that we think they want to go buy some booze or drugs..

  • i think this just shows how simple minded the majority of human beings are...

    i mean, i've witnessed similar situations and always stopped to help.

    it seems that its also a persons level of dignity, empathy and the ability to "treat others how you would want to be treated" that drives them to help or not.

    i personally never seem to confide to such physiological standards, as i create my own rules. but it makes me feel weird saying that im the only person that's not a guinea pig like the rest...

  • You needed a test to see this? This is the soceity we have created, all around the world. It's not surprising, after all we learn that behavior from high school; blend in or stand out. Sad but true.

  • well when you do experiments like this and put it on youtube people are going to think an ill person is just an experiment lol

  • This happened in NY sometime around last year. Remember the homeless guy got stabbed and everyone walked by until it was too late?

  • I'm not so sure about this study. I feel like people can tell when people are acting to a point. Even just subconsciously. The first guy calling out so much seemed more like a crazy person than someone in need. I'm curious how well we can pick up emotions. The firs person should project fear, but the actor's body did not likely show those signs or chemical reactions.

    I'd like to analyze this study more before I'd give it merit.

  • Note to self. Carry a suit at all times incase I get injured.

  • That dude in white pisses me off how do you actually step over him and keep walking that makes me so fucking angry >:(.

  • i woulda helped if he asked for help T_T ppl yu so bad

  • okey, so if you were one of the group you will get help? but if you are NOT one with the group you cant get help. BUT PEOPLE SAY WE WANT TO change the word . i learn from a great man if you want to change the world you have to start by yoursrelf .

  • its sad how people doesn't care about others but themselves.

  • Why is no one helping? *hears their voices* ooh..they're from there. No wonder.

  • the thing is, there are many people out there who want to trick you (maybe for money or some other purposes) therefore we get used to "weirdos" lying around in streets, hobos and bums, or even normally dressed beggars, and we learn to ignore them. For our own safety. I consider myself a kind person, but if i see a man lying on a sidewalk, i would think he is drunk and i would be afraid of being abused by him if i go closer. On the other hand, I would just call police or ambulance.

  • @TheNabeghlavi Not in this situation. If you walk in a big group like this you wouldn't have to worry about being abused. I myself might've walked past the woman. I'm used to seeing some homeless people laying around here and there, but if i saw a man on the ground holding his stomach and asking for help, i would help.

  • i wouldnt help him either if he were acting that badly...

  • or... he could have a rusty shank in his hidden hand, waiting to rob or kill you...

  • People are fucking Rude.

  • people are idiots.

  • I know now why no aliens will ever show up.

  • Mankind is kind of pathetic

  • @Hirnlego999 You're kind of pathetic for saying your own race is pathetic. Go do something for a change.

  • @Erijinull it really isnt pathetic, concidering its true...

    the world should step out of its self centred, egotistical shell, and stop being mindless freaks that conform to everyone else.

    this topic actually annoys me, because i cant imagine people ignoring someone in need, unless they're completely absent minded and stupid...

  • @Erijinull I did something by stating something which is quite obvious. Many overrate themselves all too much and this proves it, as does the Milgram experiment which puts holes into people thinking that their are so strongly decide on their own. Most just conform without little reasoning.

  • I've learned that no good deed goes unpunished.

  • One does evil enough when one does nothing good. ~German Proverb

  • Fuck me, the 3rd guy waited 6 seconds. All because he looked like he had money.

  • The woman did look like she was just asleep. But the first guy was obviously in need.

  • Part 1

    I recall an incident (true story) as I walked down a street in Slough (GB) with work friends back in the mid 80s. We saw an old lady on laying on the floor – without hesitation I got to work – qualified in First Aid from the chemical laboratories where I had work and also as a part time volunteer policeman – later my friends were amazed at my fast reactions and ability to know what to do – I played it down and didn’t want to talk about it.

  • Part 2

    What really happened as a large crowd surrounded the old lady was that after I checked her breathing followed by a check if she broke any bones in her (presumed) fall, a young woman next to the old lady whispered to me quietly that only I could hear ; “Are you a First Aider?” – Yes I replied, she then whispered, well I’m a fully qualified staff nurse, so why don’t you just fuck off! – I stood up , and loudly announced to the crowd that the old lady will be okay and left

  • Part 3

    This video is an Interesting social experiment – I agree the response is typical – Personally I believe a citizen has a duty in civic conduct not less in responsibility than those who serve in the armed forces.

  • The bystander effect doesn't necessarily account for this. As with imPathogenic, I live in Portland and I'm surrounded by homeless people. They behave erratically and can possibly be dangerous, I've seen people assaulted trying to help others in circumstances like this. The man in business attire is less likely to be homeless or threatening and more likely to be a rational person in need of assistance, therefore more likely to receive help.

  • @lolaryngoscope- I was thinking this exactly! I think it would have been better if the guy wasn't calling out for help, but was unconscious like the girl, possibly on his face (which also speaks more of being injured and less of being crazy), and if they could make him bleeding from his head or some injury that was somewhat visible.

  • We actually watched this in my Psychology class on Tuesday, along with reading an article. I found it very interesting.

  • yeah I am guilty of this. I was at Boston Market and some guy fell to the floor. everyone froze. he had a mild seizure I believe but his sister or whoever, came to him and he was fine. no one did anything though.

  • I also think this has something to do with luck. I mean, if you happen to fall down when the wrong people are walking by (bankers, builders etc.) people are less likely to help. But say an off duty nurse or even somebody with a knowledge of psychology who would understand the bystander effect in teh first place was to walk past they are more likely to stop and help. Like most things in life it's all about being in the right place at the right time.

  • As a black guy I tried the experiment and gave up after 4 solid days of no one assisting!

  • Comment removed

  • "It's always very disturbing to watch situations like this where people are obviously suffering." You mean where people are "faking to be suffering". People can tell he's faking it and I'd sense it as some kind of trap myself.

  • I would of thought that guy asking for help was a bum, and surely would mug me if I got close. The worlds a dangerous place.

  • @Treadzeze Then stay back and call for help from a safe place?

  • @clerickolter I guess that would be a good idea... makes me look lazy thow.

  • A case of terrible acting or apathy?

  • So u have to wear a tie be able to get help even if ur life depends on it. What kind of sick race are we??!!!

  • it is partially based on the clothes, but it could be that they sensed it was fake. people have to make an instant decision and if something seemed odd abuout the way he was yelling, they may think he was trying to rob them.

  • I wish bystander effect worked on youtube too, so people would watch the video and not tell immediately to everybody what their opinion is, just moved on.

  • @Yottskry

    You do realize the OVERWHELMING irony of your comment. Don't you?

  • @Leadman1989 your reply is quite ironic

  • @Yottskry

    Do you know what irony means?

  • @Leadman1989 means stuff that looks like iron

  • @Yottskry

    You're an idiot, a troll, and not at all funny. I'm done wasting my time.

  • @Leadman1989 dont forget your iron

  • @subscriptionfanforev dont try that all the time becase crackheads do the same thing

  • What an awful awful state of affairs, Gof help us all, we seem to have lost compassion for one another.

  • @shalomirene1 it's always been like this because of the diffusion of responsibility. it's human nature.

  • id be afraid that as soon as i tried to help him id get stabbed and mugged.

  • This is pretty cool. By identifying these kind of physiological flaws things like this can be fixed.

  • humans go home

  • THIS IS TERRIBLE!!! i'm 12 years old, and even I would help!!!

  • @subscriptionfanforev well you can say that, but you haven't been put in that situation...

  • This would never happend in sweden, we got personal responsibility and morals!!! I hope!

    

  • @Winca100

    haha, Nordic countries are even worst.... sorry..

  • @puranic1 Cant belive that, partly due to our helthcaresystem, In any case, I would help!

  • ... and it's the dirty, working class type person who helps.

  • @guzsaj there were many of the dirty working class that walked by him if you watched the whole video. point is certain personality types help, others dont. regardless of "class"

  • @kegler27 okay, you're right. I just got carried away.

  • @guzsaj rofllll soo agree

  • I like how that one guy sits on the ledge and reads the paper like nothing happened. I rofl'ed so hard. May as well change the meaning of humane to being ignorant of others.

  • thumbs up if vsauce sent you here!!

  • i usually check what's wrong and act accordingly, however having worked with a lot of alcoholics and drug addicts i've learned to see signs. sometimes they just go to sleep in places, then i leave them alone, but if they're lying or sitting in a bad position(that might choke them etc.) i'll move them and/or call an ambulance. first one i would help, second one check and move her evt. help, third help. but that's just because i've done it at work :/ i understand peoples reaction.

  • Makes you ponder: Who created human beings?

  • There goes your so called "ethics". Ethical beings my ass. There are only a hand full.

  • suit up

  • Ugh..... That's awful... Makes me want to go punch someone.

  • @headcrab4 I bet you go punch chuck norris!

    

  • They should have added fake wounds or fake blood or something so that people wouldn't think it was just someone who passed out after a night of binge drinking :P

  • Oh My Goddess!!! What is wrong with people!!?? And NO I don't buy into the psychologists explanation that people are just following the group. That's simply mindless. We each have a mind, a soul and a consciousness. THIS IS DISGRACEFUL and people should be ashamed of themselves. I'd rather be wrong than to stand aside and DO NOTHING, every time!!!!!

  • If poor= no help

    If rich as fuck= much help.

    Fucking world.

  • @totte1015

    nonsense. a guy in a business outfit lying on the street is just less likely to be drunk (and lying in his own piss) than some casually or poorly dressed guy. what percentage of the drunk people sitting on the pavement that you met wore a business outfit ? what percentage wore a casual/shabby outfit ?

  • @CaptainObvious0000 the other guy was holding his stomach and begging for help

    he wasn't sleeping there , he beg for help the whole time , but when he had tie , everyone rush to help , even those who didn't know what was happening rush to help him , funny isn't it?

  • @zerackid

    so you say they expected a reward of a million dollars, lol ? if i wear a tie to work it means that i'm rich as fuck ? another question: how many thieves wear ties (would be a great idea though !) and how many wear casual outfits ? there are several reasons why a better dressed guy on the street is more trustworthy. it's statistically obvious. these people are not into money, they just care for their own security. seems that a lot of youtubers like irrational accusations.

  • @CaptainObvious0000 yes, this is true.

    also if someone looks like an alcoholic or drug addict, it's not very attractive to be dragging them around. it sounds harsh ,but many addicts can be a real hassle and very needy for most people to want to get involved. and it counts for most of us here on comments board to.

  • this isnt true.i was watching this show and it showed this girl having problems (random faints) and her friends have to keep her up and tell everyone that shes fine!!!

  • @hahahalolxd2000 what is is with you and trying to point out fakeness, I have seen your comments on many videos and you can't seem to shut up, even when the point of the video is to be fake!

  • This the side effect of letting homeless people loiter all over the place - we get desensitized to seeing it.

  • If someone is laying on the floor in a pool of blood or clutching their chest in pain,

    DON'T JUST STAND THERE DO SOMETHING!

  • I believe this is the sick product of this psychological phenomenon. Gut-wrenching.

  • This is what happens when you take society's balls and cut em right off. People are not independent in cities anymore. Try this in the country, and you will get a different response.

  • but couldn't people be afraid to help since you're taught as a kid not to bother with strangers in cities since they could be drug addicts? Idk maybe more studies should be done to see if people aren't helping because of the bystander effect or out of personal fear

  • This effect is sad, but true. Did anyone hear about an incidence a few months ago where a little two-year-old girl in China was run over by a van? The driver of the van hit her and ran over her, then proceeded to shift gears into reverse and run over her again before driving off. She was lying unconscious, bleeding on the street, and numerous people walked by and didn't think twice about her, even though she was clearly in plain sight.

  • well the first thing i thought was crack head

  • I've actually experienced this. I was badly ill a couple of weeks back and against my doctor's advice I decided to venture out of my house. I felt awful and ended up being physically sick into a bin at the side of the street and almost collapsing. About half a dozen people walked past me and not one thought of stopping to see if I was fine, they just looked at me and walked on. It's shocking yet sadly a reality.

  • That's exactly what happened to me.

    There was an old man lying on the street and I just went there him. Thank god there was a maelp him gett off the street and on the sidewalk. But people were just walky by. Some asked if everything is ok with him (I couldn't help myself and just answered "oh yes, he always enjoys lying on the floor!" Stupid question -.-)

    There were even people that wouldn't walk by but turn around to avoid seeing him... How sick!

  • Err, aye, in London? Hated the place, but then again lots of cities are like this.

  • Safety in numbers? ya tell that to 6 million jews

  • @konieboy Jimmy Carr, is that you?

  • Fucking lemmings, humanity disgusts me

  • This is enraging.

  • Fuck that shit, I help erry body up in this mother fucking world.

    You on the ground -> I mother fucking walk right up in your shit and give you that der assistance.

    I am one nice cunt.

  • i live in nyc...homeless people and schizophrenics are everywhere, acting very similar to the actor in this scene, and they can be very dangerous. i understand the bystander effect, but testing it with an actor acting like a schizo-homeless person isn't the way to draw conclusions.

  • @imPathogenic schizophrenics, statistically speaking, are no more dangerous than your average bloke; the real harm they cause is to themselves. Homeless people are believed to be dangerous only because most homeless people are schizophrenic, and the stereotype carries over. A lot of others are war vets... and then, yes there are druggies, who can be violent out of need, but we just have to remember that violence is rational: what is the rational behind attacking a helping hand?

  • @imPathogenic the fact is, it's this exact attitude of these people as "different" and "dangerous" to the point of dehumanizing them that makes it so hard to help when they really are in need, and this attitude is self-perpetuating, not rational.

  • @KingHobum or perhaps the actor is just a bad actor, and passerby's can obviously see he is in no visible pain or in need of any help.

  • @imPathogenic that's not what the people interviewed in the vid seem to convey. I don't know what gives you that impression, but it contradicts your original claim that people were avoiding him because they were convinced he was schizophrenic...they can't be fearing their personal safety while seeing through his transparent acting. Besides, if we're not sure how, uh...sincerely somebody is suffering, isn't the proper response to investigate, not rationalize to personal advantage?

  • @KingHobum You have very valid claims but neglect the reasoning behind the horse.

  • @imPathogenic Are they not people to???? Sentient living beings????

  • Moral of the story: wear a tie.

  • Wow. I wonder how people felt if they or someone they know identified them as a passer-by in this video.

  • They're clearly doing this experiment in the wrong locations.

  • Its truly ridiculous the way people fail to respond to a person in need. I just made a video like this one of a student passed out on a college campus to see if the same thing would happen, sure enough it did. The sad thing was even professors walked right by the unconscious victim.

  • @11FlackJacket did you make the video during finals week?

  • @carlitosthinks haha no I made it about a month into the semester. but yes a unconscious student at the entrance to the library is common place during finals week :)

  • it could be a possibility that the guy with the newspaper saw the lady okay before she laid down

  • its also a drug addict effect. Where ppl directly link it to cocaine use effects and are therefore afraid of going near / waking the person as the reaction can be unexpected.

  • Because you know, this is still high school. We don't want to get kicked out of "the crowd".

  • give him a shot gun, let's see what people do

  • i think this sort of gives light to the incident that happened in China a couple of weeks ago where a little girl was run over and nobody helped...

    it's easy to sit behind our keyboards and talk about how we would all help if we were in that situation, but it's really not that simple.

  • OMG!!!!! I know I would help!!! I was the one that helped in a situation at school similar to this. Everyone else just stood around.

  • An example of the effects of "social conditioning"...

  • why are they sleeping !?

  • Sometimes you ought to help. Other times you act based on how others are acting. But third, sometimes you have already decided that some people are not woth helping. Homlessness and mental illness falls into this catagory where people have chosen to just stay away and ignore. Even the test demonstrates this by changing the clothing of the victim. If we faced it, we have to fix the problem before it's lying in the street and we know it.

  • @GameTheory101

    "...changing the clothing of the victim."

    I knew about this effect with speaking over the phone: if you sound professional, the person on the end is more willing to help--not ideal, but it's reality.

    I had one incident where I went into a dealership wearing a bright yellow jacket and the salesman couldn't get rid of me fast enough, but I liked the car enough to put up with him, but when I brought my check, he suddenly became a LOT more willing to be helpful.

  • Cattle are more caring for their own kind than the British are for their own fellow humans.

  • @snocamo154 This counts for more then just the British!

  • It will be a huge difference if the sick guy wearing suit.

  • I find it interesting how humans work. They are all so confusing....Their thoughts consumed by other people's actions and thoughts, media controlling them, making them believe they NEED to get those new pair of pants or NEED to get that HDTV. Or to use this magical cream to turn yourself beautiful. How sad that humans need smoke screens and other people's individual thoughts to copy what they're doing and not use their own thoughts and mind. Sadly, not many people realize this, and laugh it off.

  • Its facking fake

    That man is gay

    just like your granny's tits

  • @Epiccraftable i meant fucking

  • I don't giva a f*uck about that people,

    1548 people dont know whats funny

  • @qmelian do your part to recognize the flaws in human nature I commend you for that recognition. many humans fail to see these flaws and thus do not act...you are a hero

  • Is this was filmed in china this video will it be full of anti china comments

  • well i must be different than the majority of the population, because if a normal looking woman or man is passed out of the steps, or writhing in pain, i would fall over myself to help them, and i KNOW that i would ( and have before) theres no psychology involved, its fucking simple, I can understand people walking past a homeless drunk insane person, but thats a different story. There is no GOOD reason for so many people to walk past that women or man, its just that the human race is fucked

  • @qmelian no. there is psychology involved. Many people were raised differently, of course. What they experienced or been told in the past may be shown here. There's an environment where ever you go, if everybody is wearing hats, would you wear one?Yes, because if you don't you'll stand out of place from the other people. It may seem wrong to leave a dying man on the floor, but its monkey see monkey do type of stuff. We should do what all the other people do, because maybe they know

  • @qmelian maybe they know whats better and leave that dying man into some other person's hands. Does it seem cruel?Yes but do they give it a thought?No, because of assumptions and what all other people around them are doing makes it seem right for them to do so as well. Its shows how ugly this world is, and there's only a few that aren't as dark. But there's no such thing as a perfect being.

  • @blackcry22 I know "why" people do it, im saying they dont HAVE to be a lemming, people need to learn NOT to be part of the crowd, especially when it means helping someone in need in BROAD DAYLIGHT with HUNDREDS of people around! I just cant believe people can watch this and defend it, i just facepalm.

  • @qmelian Look, your asking for the impossible. Its sorta their own instinct to be with the crowd. Yes they have the choice not to do it but we don't exactly have the courage to do so. Which is why there's different groups, everybody wants to be part of something or atleast know what it belongs to, people tend not to like being the loner.

  • @qmelian You talk about people like you aren't part of that! Even Chuck Norris is... so keep that in mind!

  • Comment removed

  • omg wtf is wrong with people...this is why i avoid the world as much as posible ,but serious cmon people...if you see someone that even looks like they need help HELP THEM NOW

  • MONSTERS!!!

  • wow, really sick actually if you think about this..

  • Kitty Genovese... enough said.

    My psychology classes have played a role in how I live my life after understanding why I - and other people - think the way we do.

    My philosophy used to be - like so many other people in the footage, I'm sure - "It'll be okay. Someone else will help this person out."

    Now I remember Kitty Genovese and ask myself, "If I don't help, who will?"

  • honestly... id pass by too, i live in montreal, and EVERYDAY i pass by homeless ppl begging for money, help. this guy just looked like a hobo who needed help (food ) and those people, are regarded as lazy. while the suited man, a working class man who has a place in soceity would get help, bcuase its un usual.

  • So try to dress in a very professional way, when you fell down on streets, the possibility of being noticed and helped would be higher!

    No one has the right to blame any citizen from other countries in such kind of situation, cz most ppl all over the world gonna act the same!

  • The girl looked like she was a drunk passed out on the street, not like she was dying.

  • dude he looks mentally deranged i wouldnt go near him either <.< you see wack people in NYC all the time

  • If we find like in saudi arabia or in general in the Muslim countries I guarantee that the time for the rescue will not be longer than a minute

  • Actor my ass she just sleeping there..

  • wow....we're dickheads

  • I do the same. Once I was crossing the street, a Two teen women were going too. But the Two girls did not look both ways. They just crossed the street in front of a speeding car, It was heading about 21mph. And were hit, the car left the scene at a slower speed. After that car passed I walked on the cross walk and 6 other cars saw me ignore the victims like nothing happened. They were at least 6 ft. away from me. After I finish crossing the street, one of the drivers called the ambulance.

  • People suck!

  • scary world.. I guess living in a jungle would be far more better since you will try to be prepared when you know that you have to totally depend on yourself out there!!

  • Omg! :|

  • In Liverpool street you do not want to help a crack head out, next minute you know he is asking for money and then a knife appears. Thats what happens on the streets of London.

    To the Swiss citizen, they carry knives.

  • animals 

  • simple human are hypocrite. never trust human. all they want is just praise and compliment

  • @KaKaGaNu That's an astute observation.... I can tell you're an intelligent fellow.

  • Okay, if someone where saying "Help me" wouldn't that eliminate the risk factor??

  • holy shit this makes me wanna cry

  • wow. this is really fucked up

  • everybody has done this...you can't say you haven't!! I know I have!!

  • this makes me angry ... :/

  • This is why mankind is fucked...

  • This theory can only be use on a group of heartless animal. Try it some where else before presume we are all alike.

  • wow it's like if your a poor hobo no one wants to talk or be with you, and if your rich and well dressed most people come by and check on you. Maybe they want your money? I am disgusted by this video.

  • Keep in mind this is in the West, in the Arab world, even if you don't need help anyone would be glad to help you.

    In Morocco, where I come from, it's impossible for any one poor to be hungry, because everyone helps them. The West is a sad world..

  • @88dragons88 Is that before or after you are done oppressing journalism and free speach?

  • @35503550 Freedom of speech and journalism is slowly getting better in Morocco, and besides, what does on earthfreedom of speech have to do with the bystander effect? Do you not understand that this happens here in America, in New York City, where we have some of the free-est media in the world? Please don't generalize. This man sounds candid, and from what I've seen traveling around the world, he's right. People in other countries tend to me so much more willing to help people in need.

  • as much as I'd love to say how disgusted i am, and how i couldnt possibly imagine doing nothing in a situation like this, i find myself totally understanding what the passer-bys are feeling. if it were a bum passed out, i'd be afraid to get involved as they may be under the influence and dangerous. however, women and well dressed people are just easier to trust based on our society's standards. sad but true.

  • Honestly The women looks like shes taking a nap and the first guy looks like a hobo. The man in the suit on the other hand doesn't appear to be on drugs and hes obviously not asleep

  • PRICELESS.....................­................

  • anyone know the source of this video?

  • This was just to sad that people can be like this

  • I think we all need to snap out of the zombie trance that we walk around in.

  • Sometimes people just take naps in the middle of the street..

  • @seandunn24 but they doesnt ask for help while sleeping....

  • This also because new york is city full of people without jobs and wherever you go you will someone like in that situation.