Bystander Effect - people watch girl being abducted

When there's only one person around in a situation, they're much more likely to lend assistance to people in need, whether it's to help pick up something they're dropped or something more important like warn them they're about to step into traffic, etc.

When there's a group of people, though, no one acts. They all expect someone else will do it, so no one volunteers or pauses.

This is honestly a chilling video to watch. I don't have kids but it catches my breath when the two men catch on that something's going on and without any verbal communication between them, only similar body language (ie their mutual movement in that direction) it's amazing to me that, while they're both intently watching the man they are approaching, there is a single second when they Both launch into action, again without communicating anything verbally, but something triggers the same response from both men. How fascinating! It reminds me of wild lions in Africa who are following their prey but something simultaneously all animals involved and they leap to action.

I'm teaching a Social Psychology class right now and am really getting intrigued by the idea of how we send and receive communication without speaking. What is it about that situation that influenced those men though others around them didn't bother? And what was it in that single second where they both jump into a run? Was it that the man let the girl's arm go and started to run off himself? It's amazing to me.

See what you think? I showed this to a fellow teacher who has two daughters. It's scary to think that people would pass. The girl int his video was doing everything right - yelling over and over "You're not my dad! Someone help me!" It didn't do her any good, did it?

Category:

Education

Tags:

• bystander effect
• social psychology
• human behaviour

[yvan1401]

respect to the black guys !

[TheXXSTUNTMUTTXx]

I love psychological experiments because it shows humanity in it's true form

[evolowe]

It's funny how many cowards are in this country (United States), but they always cry for war.

[vaguayo1979]

I love this..... the Black guys helped out!!!! backfired to all racists mothafuckas out there.... Im not black btw...

[Roarlover34]

respect for the black guys. They tend to stand up when they see something wrong.

From a White Australian

[sinkingfeeeling]

Yeeeeeeah because it sounds like she's throwing a tantrum and not like she's getting abducted.

[qwertyhjklzxcv]

Living in Saudi arabia, United Arab Emirates for years. And everyone cares for everyone. Now in Canada I saw 3 guys beating up another guy DOWNTOWN infront of everyone and only Cops confronted them. <3 Saudi.

[xxbrockloverxx]

@fatalnightmare22 this is the real world spastic and there is hope because there still are people who will help.

[XxLeurxX]

LOL "whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa TV, TV, Cops right there, cops right there."

[TheMusicEloquence]

Hahaha i got excited when they both started running :D Bravoo

[TheMusicEloquence]

I love black people, they can be more conscious and aware then most people. Respect bros! :D

[jrdngrgry]

Anybody elses heart skip a beat when the two black guys sprinted for the him? I for sure thought he was dead