What is the Bystander Effect?
This is a theory in Social Psychology that suggests bystanders are less likely to help a victim if there are other people around.
Have you ever been in a situation where you saw something happen, and you thought:
Maybe I should help?
But because there were other people around you thought:
Oh, I bet any of these people are more capable than I am.
What if I do something stupid?
What if I just make it worse?
This is the bystander effect, and pretty much all of us have done it. However, since most of us do it, the result is often that the victim doesn't get any help from any bystander at the time. Don't be guilty of the bystander effect, and be an active bystander instead.
What is Bystander Intervention?
- Put simply, bystander intervention means you get in the way. When bystanders act, it can change the outcome of an event, or prevent it from escalating.
- Bystander intervention involves developing the awareness, skills, and courage needed to intervene in a situation when another individual needs help.