The Bystander Effect, Herd Mentality And The Indifference Of Good Men

[sammid7266]

this is a greatly made video. i think we can all learn from it and hopefully by the one to pull out of the crowd.

[damallooo]

This is extremely misleading. The people who made these videos are simply picking out the exceptions from what I imagine would be undesirable outcomes. For every example they give me in this video of bystander indifference, I can give countless other examples where people rush to help a person in need. Stop trying to be all dramatic about this. Humanity is not dead, as you may claim. There still continue to be good people in this world, and by claiming otherwise you are insulting us.

[TheLaughingOut]

@damallooo The people that do these things are not bad people. That's the point.

"Humanity is dead." ~Nobody.

[hallowbe]

People are inherently selfish. What happen to the altruism?

[jaftem]

@tailsmilesprower24 I believe this is mostly a cultural phenomena, as the video states.

I live in North Dakota. As barren and isolated as the state is, people stop to help. When I was a teen, I crashed my car into a huge snow ditch. I was stuck, but within 2 minutes, 5 cars pulled up to help get my car out. The first few people went so far as to dig snow from around the tires with only the gloves on their hands until more strangers showed with shovels.

[TheLaughingOut]

@tailsmilesprower24 What can I say about that? It's terrible. Had it been caught on tape it would have made it into this video.

[BliksemSP]

As I was walking to the store in the middle of the night, I came upon a visibly upset teenage girl sitting on a curb. I could hear sobbing from a distance. As I continued towards her, not out of concern but because the store was in that direction, I pretended to be on my phone to appear unavailable. As I was passing her, I made eye contact and the look she gave me was one of desperation. I did absolutely nothing for her and didn't stop. I'm still owned by guilt and still wonder about her.

[TheLaughingOut]

@BliksemSP This story sent chills down my spine.

[pinheadman665]

@BliksemSP

Such is the way of human nature. It's in our very DNA to not help others unless we get something out of it, whether it be emotional satisfaction or a physical reward. Humans are naturally selfish creatures.

[KnockoffNigeI]

Keep your head down and don't stick out from the crowd, otherwise they'll do to you what they did to Ian Tomlinson.

[TheLaughingOut]

@Lemonz1989 That's great. I'm glad to hear that it has affected you in a positive way.

[VanessaSills]

I've had situations in my own life where people have passed by acting uncaring and apathetic.

& it really hurts to be on the recieving end of that.

Indifference and apathy are a plague to me, really.

I don't understand this minset at ALL.

If you see a person laying on the ground dying or hurt it's NOT okay to not stop and help them.

It's basic (or what SHOULD be basic) human goodness.

Great vid!

<3

[VanessaSills]

I LOVE those Oscar Wilde quotes!

Well anything he says really. lol.

I'm, undeniably, a fangirl. lmfao XD

Have you read any Oscar Wilde stories or poetry?

[TheMercilessEye]

This is an old story - one with which I'm all too familiar, sadly.

Excellent. Truly, I HAVE neglected my viewing of your work. Favorited.

( O )

[TheLaughingOut]

@TheMercilessEye Thank you very much.

Could you tell me what ( O ) means? Are you mooning me?

[TheMercilessEye]

@TheLaughingOut If you look verrrrrry closely, you'll be able to make out...an eye... ( O )

[TheLaughingOut]

@TheMercilessEye Yeah sure... a BROWN eye!

[TheMercilessEye]

@TheLaughingOut ( it's a contact lens... ) :P

[EwBriii]

@TheLaughingOut ROFL.

[TheMaxtek]

@TheMercilessEye boy i stubled upon this video and i see i am not alone in feeling sick of people who all they can do is stare into small square boxes, and if they have no box they still make sure they make no eye contact. i call this a social disease. also one who stares down tot he ground when they walking is diagnostic of mental illness. anyways i think television has changed people as well. i am aware of my environment deeper than most people are. i wish people were less afraid, judge menta

[TheMercilessEye]

@TheMaxtek That 'looking down at the ground' is often associated with VERY low self-esteem, too. It's hard to differentiate until you actually talk with the individual in question...provided the individual will allow it, of course...

[RichardRoy2]

Brilliant video. I hope my mouse keeps me from becoming a sheep.

[DrQxx]

Damn my fallen flock how could you become so indifferent.

[ivann198]

painfuly inspiring

[Ravenkeep]

Excellent video! This inspired me.

[TheVenusMan]

As much as I want to say "Humans wouldn't do this, they wouldn't walk by a dying man.", I see this every day, on a smaller scale. At school, where sparkly vampires and Ken dolls who sound like a 5 year old girl are the height of coolness. Everyone wants to be a puzzle piece, everyone wants to be accepted, everyone wants to FIT IN. I would hope that if I were any of the people walking by, I would go and help the bleeding/in pain man.

[PoetryManTV]

Freethinkers are not part of the "sheep mentality"! Sheep mentality explains the continuance of religion in the face of contradictory scientific evidence dispeling often ridiculous beliefs and dogma.

[AnderssenVP]

I've heard of such cases, but it doesn't quite fit my own experience. For example, once in the subway two guys were just about to start a fight, and it was almost impressive how spontaneous and smooth people reacted and held them back

But I must admit that I also tend to be somewhat indifferent to people lying on the floor which I consider to be just drunk. This would not be the case however if the guy said "help" (like in the video) or if I'd see blood.

[mfunke]

@AnderssenVP

All it takes is one person to take action and others will step up.

[TheStigma]

This is a very good video. As pessimistic as presents our fellow human beings however - do remember that we are not all like this. I don't claim to be "better" or special, but I have helped teenagers get home who passed out drunk on the street in winter in the middle of night (-20celcius) who could very well have died, and ive helped an alcoholic with a bum leg who once collapsed in the middle of a road crossing in the middle of the day. When people help you, help others. Pay it forward :)

[KCKatheist]

I am a nurse. I have lost count of the number of times I have happened accross someone injured, overdosing, suffering a psychological break down and exhibiting suicidal ideation. I always stop, assess, offer what aid I can and call for assistance as indicated. And I watch others walk by, drive by, oblivious to all but their own ends. Some wonder why I'm a bit of a misanthrope-self absorbed gits, all of them. Faved this-thought provoking. My regards...and thanks for uploading this.

[SinnFein4ever]

The majority of human beings on this planet are disgusting.

It's rather depressing that so few of us are born with the intelligence to question the way the herd is doing things, and also to have the spine to defy it.

[KCKatheist]

@SinnFein4ever Aye! Sinn fein, mate!

[DarkMatter2525]

This is very surprising to me. I've never experienced this. In my 33 years of living all over America, people always seemed TOO quick to call the police...or an ambulance. In my old Chicago neighborhood, there was always old ladies with binoculars, stationed behind their windows, watching to see if us kids were "up to no good". They'd have the cops on speed dial. Is this a new phenomenon?

[TheLaughingOut]

@DarkMatter2525 Kitty Genovese was killed in 1964, but I'm pretty sure it's much older than that. I know somewhat how you can feel surprised, for the most part I've lived a lot like you. But there have been times with police even when they could have helped me but they didn't.

[thinkofwhy]

When one of your skin cells dies and flakes off, do you notice it? Do you think the adjacent skin cells mourn its death?

We are an organism who is part of Earth, and we are growing towards a population of seven billion individuals. That alone means that each individual is less significant than before, not only to the whole organism, but to its neighbors as well.

We're also evolving; physically; socially; and culturally. All thanks to top down hierarchies that enslave and socially isolate us.

[TheLazy0ne]

this is called dehumanization.... so you might want to think twice when you call yourself human.

[Hyardacil]

One time I saw a guy just stopping in his walk and falling to the sidewalk. I honestly would have gone out there and called the ambulance, but I DID hesitate. And this goth guy... with huge chains, piercing a very pale face, skull symbols everywhere, black latex clothes was the first guy who stormed to see if he could do anything.

A double lesson for me.

I'll never be the bystander again.

And I'll never judge people by their appearance again.

[TheLaughingOut]

@Hyardacil Excellent story!

[wolfeedarkfang]

People in my area seem to care a little more. For example there was a story in the newspaper here in pasco florida where a man was beating on his wife in the car parked in a ditch. the woman was trying to get out of the car and he kept pulling her back in. A driver passing by used their cell phone to call the police. the husband was shortly arrested by a passing cop who responded to the call.

[kelliko70]

Powerful video. Excellently done.

[dv8tion242]

nicely put together.

there were some teenagers beating up someone in a bus tunnel in seattle while the staff watched...  the 'guards' apparently had been told not to get involved because of potential legal issues...

beware the power of the mighty dollar(or your local currency). and watch as it crushes your good people

[Beelzeboogie]

I'm going to be completely honest here, I've done this, and I'll probably continue to do it. As much as I'd like to be one of these guys who helps, I don't even have the strength to try to be one.

[PhoenixRayneweaver]

ten points for boondock saints clip

[jaysteinbourg]

Simple solution. As you pass by take out your mobile/cell phone. Call for help.

[kjkj74]

i read the story of that woman who was killed while 37 people watched her, in my philosophy book.

half my class claimed they would never ever help her in fear of being killed themselves... even though half the time she was just laying there all alone.

[PaganRon]

Welcome to the human race. I have seen a lot of what was shown here back when I was working EMS, people just walking by and doing nothing to help there fellow human.

[Judasbm]

Earnt yourself a subscription good sir.

[jollyradical]

Human nature's a real bitch.

[riseofatheism]

I'm not sure who these people are during these experiments, but they definitely aren't me.

[verodefacto]

All humanity out the window....

[jesterspace]

I stopped a knife fight outside a local club simply by stepping between the two drunks and in my 'authority' voice commanded them to stop. NO ONE wants to be in a knife fight.. both sides are almost guaranteed to be cut. By providing them with a way to step back and not be the 'coward' who ran away..managed to stop either pain or death. The fact I kinda looked like the DJ (at least to two drunk frat boys) helped, I'm sure.

[TheLaughingOut]

@jesterspace A knife fight? Damn.

[gingermadman]

@jesterspace uhhh, CRAB BATTLE.

[PersonallyOptimistic]

What an eye-opening video. I hope to be part of this new group, I just hope I have the courage to do so.

[InModiasWeTrust]

Excellent work. You have gained a new subscriber, and I will post a video response in a few hours.

-Modias

[TheLaughingOut]

@InModiasWeTrust Thank you very much sir. You have as well. I like your stuffs!

[abbynormal0ne]

Also, I remember having hurt myself fairly badly in a busy area at my university. I was crying, and not one person helped me up. I dragged myself up the stairs to my room, and I bled the whole way. Not one person asked if I needed help.

[TheLaughingOut]

@abbynormal0ne I hope beyond hope that I would have. :(

[abbynormal0ne]

@TheLaughingOut Honestly, I hope I would have helped someone in the same situation. I have, in fact, helped people who've been hurt. Sometimes we're so blinded by our own work-a-day that we don't see :(

[Poseidon500]

@abbynormal0ne Most of humanity is selfish and indifferent. They only care about their own lives, their owm problems. It is sad, but obviously very true.

I know one thing. After seeing this video, I will NEVER be the bystander.

[abbynormal0ne]

@Poseidon500 I try not to be a bystander. I've helped a few people out, but I'm sure I could have helped more. It's hard to break out of our own little world and be bold.

[xInspecteurClouseaux]

@abbynormal0ne All too commonly the case. I have to say, though, that there are people amongst us who abuse the good nature of others. Avoid the drama I am embroiled with, but know that - as I told you - things are not always as they seem. Regardless, however, I refuse to become a cynic.

[abbynormal0ne]

@xInspecteurClouseaux Yes, there are those who abuse the kindness of others, and I think *that* has scared people into ignoring people in need as well.  I think the key is to just always be aware. It's much more difficult to live life that way. I have my cynical days, but I try to make them few and far between.

[xInspecteurClouseaux]

@abbynormal0ne Well, I would be overstretching matters to say that I would intervene in *any* circumstances. I can say that during my time in London (tempered by several yeas spent as a teenager in East Africa) I have seen sights that would make most people (in the UK) weep if they knew how easy it is to fall into destitution - even in a sophisticated country with a comprehensive welfare system. I met one girl who ended up homeless after being deserted by her husband after a spell in hospital.

[abbynormal0ne]

@xInspecteurClouseaux Oh, for sure. We must always be careful about the situation. Good heavens! Her husband abandoned her? :(

[xInspecteurClouseaux]

@abbynormal0ne That is what she told me. I was working at a building near to a tube station that she spent a lot of time around. I didn't pay much attention to her the fist time I saw her, however, the following day, something about her demeanour caught my eye, so I stopped to talk to her; she didn't look - to me - like most homeless people do. Hard to define I know, but often I have found that although proud, they look like they are resigned to their circumstances. This one was different.

[TheBadcop69]

like the fictional archetech said in the matrix "deffensiveness is a humans first response." and i want to be like "this is bollucks. but the more i think of it in my own studies the more i realize this is absolutely so. i've lived a comformist life,i've since broken from it. i'd like the think i'd be that guy near the end going up to a dead looking person but sadly i don't know when the time comes how i will be.

[TheLaughingOut]

@TheBadcop69 Hopefully, when the time comes, you will remember that you're no longer a conformist. :)

[rep5281]

I have been there before. I got attacked by some dudes in a parking lot and nobody came to aid me or even call the police. They just stood there and watched as if it was a TV show.

[squirrly001]

You hear these stories and it chills you to the bone because you like to think that we are connected by our humanity but too often even in the midst of a crowd, we are alone. It makes you realise how rare the quality of empathy really is. It is a quality we are not hard wired with but taught to us by empathetic parents or guardians. Out of all the hundreds of youtube videos, this is important and a light needs to be shone on it. Thanks.

[TheLaughingOut]

@squirrly001 Thank you very much for watching.

[darkwhitedirewolf]

I now wonder how often I was the one who walked by...

[BionicDance]

This ain't me. Someone collapses in the street, I whip out the cell. Someone falls, I help 'em up. Someone DROPS A GLOVE, I pick it up and run it back to 'em.

...been accused of having a White Knight Complex more than once. Heh.

Better that than the alternative, I say.

[TheLaughingOut]

@BionicDance I say it too! Thank you for watching.

[zarassien]

damn just last week i got into a fight with 3 guys trying to jump some kid n people after wondered y i got involved. i cant see for the life of me y someone wouldnt... great vid

[GodlessManitoban]

@ The end lead by example.

[ShellySummers]

This video brought a few tears to my eyes. Especially the one guy with the bridge. I have felt that way to many times to count. Thank you for such a beautiful video.

[TheLaughingOut]

@ShellySummers Thank you for watching. The clip is from a documentary called The Bridge. It's about the suicides that are so common there. I recommend it, but warn that it's not easy to watch. That guy was the only jumper that survived within the year they were filming.

[FriendOregon]

boondock saints was a real mess of a movie. Good vid though. When I was a security guard I was told I could get sued for giving somone CPR due to the fact that I could break their ribs. Luckyily i never has to give anyone CPR, almost got glassed in the face a few times though.

[TheLaughingOut]

@FriendOregon That's messed up that someone would sue you for saving their life. *sad face*

[bamboo4tameshigiri]

@TheLaughingOut Such lawsuits (where a survivor sues for bruised ribs or whatever) are actually fairly common in the US. Although, in some places there have been newer good samaritan laws that help protect people for doing the right thing. For decades if you dropped someone off at the hospital who had ODed and was dying, you could expect to be arrested for the drug offense (so typically amerikan). That mentality is slowly changing though, so there is hope.

[djmisplacedmarblesTV]

good points , well made..

I applaud the message from this video.

saw a guy a come of his bike once , bashed up bad, screaming... people in nr by houses standiung around - I got blankets /pillows +made sure no one moved him or his helmet, cme back covered him to kep warm- minimize shock

...by then couple other people had joined to look at him, ..but a good few were helping calm him down . and warn oncoming raffic

there are some good folk still out here .

[TheLaughingOut]

@djmisplacedmarblesTV There are good folk, and I think their numbers are growing.

[djmisplacedmarblesTV]

@TheLaughingOut indeed.



[CraniumOnEmpty]

I try to help people where I can. I think there is something wrong with society when being late for work is more important then helping someone that is in dire need. I've helped many people, but only was able to save one person's life. Watching everyone else look on is horrifying. I'd rather get bludgeoned to death than sit there and watch someone else get beat to death right there in front of me. Fuck that.

[TheNakedAtheist]

Good video, but it doesn't surprise me a bit.

[TheNakedAtheist]

It's funny how so many of your commenter's seem to think the behavior of the people in the video are aberrations rather than the norm. I guess some people just have a hard time facing reality. All one need do is compare the ratings of the most popular news broadcast with American idol, or look at the percentage of eligible voters who actually bother, to see what people's priorities are. Concern for their fellow man isn't high on the list for most.

[TheLaughingOut]

@TheNakedAtheist I find that for the most part, good people surround themselves with good people. Most of my friends would also help. And I think most of my subscribers are good people. Thus they might not see it much.

[TheNakedAtheist]

-good people surround themselves with good people

You're so right. We also tend to naturally be surrounded by people like ourselves. Grow up in an educated middle, or upper middle class family in an upper middle class neighborhood, and the people you know, and those your parents associate, and their children will be much like you. It wasn't until I spent 4 years in the military, and lived in 3 different states as well as a foreign country that I really understood how stupid most people are.

[TheNakedAtheist]

Continued...

My father was an extremely well educated intelligent person who spent his entire life surrounded by like minded people in a very liberal Massachusetts city. He remained an idealist his entire life. In large part I believe because he never stopped overestimating the human race.

[TheNakedAtheist]

Continued...

But ultimately like I said I think it's that people don't want to face reality. Despite the type of people you surround yourself with the evidence is there if you want to see it, but most of us don't.

[Paxmax]

horrific! how do these people get sound sleep? Where there fricken compassion?

Some people clearly lost their seal of approval of being 'human'.

[pfarabee]

I was working at a convenience store, and this kid came in, bought something, and left. Outside, he apparently said something this other guy didn't like. The guy took a swing at him.. big guy that I later learned was on the high school wrestling team. It took me about 5 seconds to get down and around the counter and out the door between them. We aren't all sheep.

[TheLaughingOut]

@pfarabee Yes. I love these stories! Great to hear it.

[onlywhenprovoked]

This is something I have never understood. I have never been able to keep walking when I see something go down. I'll probably get myself killed one day, trying to intervene or trying to save someone elses ass, but that sounds better to me than what socialnoocrat expressed feeling.

[TheLaughingOut]

@onlywhenprovoked The way I see it, living in a world where people like you don't exist is the greater risk. I'm glad to hear there are people like you.

[onlywhenprovoked]

@TheLaughingOut great post by the way.

[socialnoocrat]

i once saw a guy following a girl at night making sexual remarks. it was a pretty crowded street and nobody did nothing. i knew she was not in inminent danger so i did nothing. she went into a restaurant but nothing the guy left. a couple of blocks later i punched a wall and broke my wrist. it just pissed me off that something could have gone wrong and i did nothing to help the girl. i swore to myself never to walk away again. my wrist is alright now btw, hehe

[TheLaughingOut]

@socialnoocrat Awesome story. I love it.

[ICharmaine]

Very Powerful!

[ICharmaine]

@ICharmaine "There are too many people, and too few human beings." - Robert Zend

[TheLaughingOut]

@ICharmaine Nice.

[TruTV]

Excellent video.

[iamcuriousblue]

Very good video, in any event.

"Makes me wonder what other psychological phenomena are effecting my supposed free will."

The other classic social psychology cases are the Milgram experiment and the Stanford prison experiment. (Lots of videos about these around YT.) The Milgram experiment has been reproduced several times, and the dynamics of the Stanford prison experiment have been played out at Abu Ghraib and countless other similar situations.

[iamcuriousblue]

Interestingly, I just heard an interview on NPR suggesting what actually happened with Kitty Genovese was different from what was usually reported (not many actual witnesses to the crime) and is actually *not* a good example of the Bystander Effect: 3(dot)ly/twtd

[TheLaughingOut]

@iamcuriousblue I doubt that Rorschach would base his entire super hero career on a misreported crime. I mean come on, get real.

;)

[JTlovesDexter]

Wow! This video is a far cry from your normal stuff.

What a pity that there is actually people in this world with so little compassion.

Thank you for sharing a very powerful message ; )

[TheLaughingOut]

@JTlovesDexter You're very welcome. And thank you for your kind words.

[xxxild]

Very interesting video. I forget about these social experiments. Thanks, Mat. I want to look into the causes of this some more.

[KrissytheWorldWithin]

I featured it 

[TheLaughingOut]

@KrissytheWorldWithin Hey thanks!

[KrissytheWorldWithin]

@TheLaughingOut its a very true video, the bystander effect affects everything in our society

[KrissytheWorldWithin]

this is an amazing video, the bystander effect is something I try to fight daily

[MensRifleAssociation]

good video. I don't think it's that people are *bad* exactly, just if there are other people around, everyone assumes that it's someone else's priority.... if there were only 2 people, the injured one and the by-passer, i think most would help. (*i think*)

[TheLaughingOut]

@MensRifleAssociation Yep you're right on. The fewer the people the more likely you are to get help. But that's not always the case as we can see from the video where the guy got stabbed.

[alowlyapprentice]

I read the description. So i will comment now while the video is playing. EXACTLY! Often I;m at odds with what is in the comments. I usually comment before reading one comment. And if it is repetitive, oh well.

Good video!

[DLandonCole]

Cracking video. Nicely done.

[bamboo4tameshigiri]

@ReignbowSmite Not limited to, but concentrated in.

[abbynormal0ne]

Wow, so excellent.  I have goosebumps.

[blackfork2]

Excellent video Mat.

[tattooskin72]

Maybe it's because I have been homeless before, but I can't just let someone sit and suffer. I often stop to help people. Contrary to what some assholes here on YouTube believe, I'm actually a nice person who doesn't like to see people in pain.

[TheLaughingOut]

@tattooskin72 I know a lot of people like you. People who break the mold and think for themselves. But sadly that's not because there are a lot of people like that, it's only because those are the people I associate with.

I think you're a very nice person.

[xxxild]

@tattooskin72 good grief nobody can possibly think ill of you. that's just not possible.

[tattooskin72]

@xxxild Oh you are aware of these people who think ill of me hehe.

[xxxild]

@tattooskin72 i am aware. but it's still not possible. :) xo

[BobChaos23]

Wow. Excellent clip usage, hits one on a certain level.

Thank the non-existent gods that I live in Canada....not quite as bad, most of the time.

[TheLaughingOut]

@BobChaos23 I clip used the shit outta dis bitch!

Yeah Canada, we have the ability to both suck and rock at the same time.

[rtottenc]

Damn

[Elenkhos]

good work man.

[bamboo4tameshigiri]

welcome to amerika

[TheLaughingOut]

@bamboo4tameshigiri England too!

[bamboo4tameshigiri]

@TheLaughingOut By in large "western society" but its worst here. We studied several famous cases in psych class. I am glad that you included the bit about the 1 person being able to steer the herd by creating a new group. It is, in fact, required for most situations. We learned that it even goes as far as the leader often having to give direct orders for assistance. If you just shout "someone help/call/act" no one will. You have to single out and demand assistance to set infrastructure.

[TheLaughingOut]

@bamboo4tameshigiri I see what you were getting at now.

Yeah, I wanted to have some kind of positive message in there. I have not yet lost all faith in humanity.

[delta9999]

Good stuff