Question

Questions: Based on the situation described, answer the following question.

• One condition makes the bystander effect impossible. What is that condition, what text provides evidence of it, and for which person does it occur?

Class Notes:

Jesse and Geoff are taking a course like this, only it is on-campus with lectures and at a university in a large metropolitan area. Both know that in the middle of the semester, they will have to be gone for two weeks (one for vacation, one for work). They will need help from someone in the class during that time, at least to get copies of lecture notes. Geoff may also need someone to help explain the material to him.

At the end of the first day of class, as students are introducing themselves before the final bell, one student mentions she needs a ride home that night and another student immediately volunteers to drive her. When it is his turn, Jesse announces to the class of 50 students that he needs to borrow notes for material that he will have to miss when he has to be gone two weeks in the middle of the semester for a job commitment he cannot reschedule. There is an awkward silence. Then, people continue introducing themselves in hopes of finishing before the end of class. Jesse didn’t explicitly ask for an answer then, but he and many others felt it was very awkward.

Geoff also had to miss some days of class. However, he waited to ask for help until a few weeks into the semester. He was talking alone during a class break to Mark, a friend he had made. They often talked and sat near one another, they both were from the same high school, and they were both business majors. Just the week before, the teacher had asked Mark a tough question in class, and Mark clearly got embarrassed because he didn't know the answer. Geoff spoke up, answering the question and diverting attention to himself. Tonight, as they chatted during break, Geoff told Mark that was going on vacation the next two weeks up until just before the big test. He then asked if he could borrow Mark's class notes when he returned. He also said that he doesn’t understand the material well and asked Mark if he could go over the notes with him when he returned. Mark reluctantly said, "Sure, I'll help."

Answer 1

Bystander effect is when from a group of people, a solo individual is quite less likely to offer assistance, as the presence of other people makes one believe that the others can take care of it. 'Why me' phenomena.

The bystander effect in the above context has clearly occurred for Jesse.

The person for whom it has not happened is Geoff.

One effect that makes the bystander effect impossible to transpire is the obvious condition of not having a group of people who are tackled together. The other crucial condition that makes it impossible to transpire is the act of having accountability and the act of personalizing a given situation.

For instance, the beginning of a semester class where people do not know each other, a favor or an act in front of a crowd would be impersonal and hold no accountability.

But, if the act is somehow presented in front of someone one is acquainted to, if not friends with, there is personalization and a sense of accountability attached. This leads to the lessening of the bystander act, as in the case of Geoff, who didn't confront the entire class altogether without having introduced himself to anyone.