Question

Read Chapter 12 of the text and watch the Connect video “Kitty Genovese and the Bystander Effect.” In your initial post, address the following:

Briefly describe your reaction to the video. Were you shocked by the bystanders’ unwillingness to help? Why do you think they did not help?

In what ways has a current event impacted your willingness to help? Think about your own morals here and the concern for the safety of yourself and your loved ones if presented with an unexpected situation.

Based on your own experience and sense of self, how do you believe you would react to someone who appears to need help? What are the deciding factors?

Answer 1

1. After watching the video, I was shocked that even a single individual from the identified 38 witnesses did not come forward to help Kitty Genovese. Perhaps it was because the situation was ambiguous and they were unable to clearly ascertain whether a crime was taking place at all. It may have also occured due to the fact that each individual may have expected the other to take responsibility.

2. Recently while I was walking down the road, I suddenly took ill and fainted. I was alone and unable to gather the strength to get up. A lady came to me, offered me some water and even took me to her house (which was very nearby) to rest. I was very overwhelmed by her gesture because I have often ignored people who seem to be in need of help. However, after this situation I realised that all of us have a good chance of coming across unpredictable situations where safety cannot be guaranteed and therefore it is important to extend help to those we suspect need it.

3. In many situations, I have been unable to discern whether or not the individual needs help at all, and concluded that my involvement might be perceived as interference. When there is a large group of other individuals present in the scenario, I have also felt that the help I would be able to offer might be inadequate and perhaps others maybe better equipped to handle the situation.