Bystander Effect Definition

“The Bystander” From the Holocaust to bullying, people just watch instead of taking action against the horrible acts that are occurring right in front of their eyes. In looking at the definition of a bystander, the bystander effect, the relationship between bystanders and bullying, and how indifference and fear play a role in the bystander effect, the reasoning and enabling behind bystanders will be revealed through their explanations. To begin, examine the definition of a bystander, the Merriam-Webster offers one broad and encompassing, stating that a bystander is “a person who is standing but not taking part in what is happening”. Extraordinarily important to understanding the bystander is the act that is occurring. A bystander is normally
witnessing an event where people or a singular person who is in great need of help and not reacting or choosing not to, whether it be a child who is about to be kidnapped or one who is freezing. For the purpose of this paper and going off several readings, the definition Merriam-Webster offers is going to be restricted. The actions witnessed by a bystander are potentially or already harmful acts that are occurring. These acts can range from physical to emotional abuse or violence. Generally speaking anyway, a bystander is normally referenced when talking about events like this is the first. Also important to note is that whenever a bystander is empowered to act, they move from a bystander to a helper, someone actively involved making an impact. To build upon our previous definition, the bystander effect is the concept that the more people there are witnessing act, the less likely they are to help or react to it.
Changing Minds notes this was first witnessed in Kitty Genovese’s murder where several people stated that while they noticed her cries for help, they did not call the police or move to help her because they assumed someone else would act and help. The key here is the assumption that someone else will help, that the duty to act and potentially be effected because of helping, is placed on someone else. All liability and duty is placed on the other people around them and it’s ultimately not their problem. As shown in Today’s kidnapping experiment video, people are, more often than not, focused solely on themselves, cut off from what’s occurring around them. Rather than being an active bystander, someone who is actively ignoring the situation at hand, like the lady who glances at the people several times but doesn’t react, passive bystanders are focused solely on themselves and in doing so, do not notice the action occurring, or just don’t care. Reverend Martin Niemöller talks about not speaking out, ending with “then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me,” warning that if people do not intervene early even when it does not effect them, the situation can escalate much larger and eventually will. Movements, multiple people taking actions, helps a larger group be empowered to react as
well. As shown, with the people who ultimately helped the child being kidnapped, once someone takes action, others are encouraged follow. Being a bystander enables those committing the acts being witnessed themselves.
In the case of bullying, being a bystander instigates and encourages. The passive accepting of the bullying validates the act. If no one is going to act and punish the bully, then their actions must be ok. Watching gives the bully the attention that they’re seeking to gain from acting in such a manner in the first place. A helpful bystander intervenes and seeks help. Bystanders that do not act suffer several adverse consequences emotionally, as shown in the Eyes on Bullying article, ranging from anxiety to fear. Those who choose not to act when confronted with someone being bullied do so for a variety of reasons. Bullyonline talks a lot about environments fostered around bullying that helps facilitate bystanding. School and work places rely on a power structure that can easily be manipulated. Drew Carberry notes that when looking at a crowded environment, when you see that people are doing nothing, “then that becomes the norm.” Mirroring other people’s actions and norms is typical in socialization. In looking at children’s media, there’s always an episode where a bully ends up having a rough home life or some other tragedy that excuses their behavior, not holding them accountable. Lessons taught as children from “snitches get stitches” to “no one likes a tattle-tail” discourage children and really anyone from speaking out. The idea that one shouldn’t tell on other people is deeply ingrained in
people as children, making it hard to break out of that. In addition, there’s a quote from Desmond Tutu that reads: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” When acts of injustice occur, if you do not speak up and take action, you have empowered and supported those committing that act. Bystanders contribute thanks to their inability to take action due to a variety of factors. There’s a fear of retaliation. This quiet fear of retaliation manifests itself into not acting as the bystander is scared of becoming a victim. A power dynamic is evident in instances of bystanders. Those who commit the acts have power, disrupting this dynamic means that the relationship can shift from the original victim to the person who acted out against the abuser. Reiterating, as a child, we’re taught “snitches get stitches”, “ no one likes a tattle-tail”, and other rules/norms that reinforce being a bystander. In particular, snitching, the act of telling on someone when they’re doing something bad, is discouraged culturally. “Snitches get stitches” threatens violence, promising violent retaliation. The act of “snitching” is discouraged and almost acts as a messed up justification of bystanders’ actions. Another factor at looking at fear and indifference when it comes to the bystander effect is indifference. The rational being that if it’s not having to them, then why should they get involved. As it is not directly affecting them, they do not feel responsible or compelled to help. An addition factor is the fear of liability. The case being that what happens if someone is not saved, helped, or something happens to them, the guilt and responsibility is placed on the bystander. Another fear is misinterpreting the situation. From [the video title], someone could have interpreted the young girl as being punished by her parent and if they had gone up and intervened, they would have been embarrassed if that was the case. There is an overarching fear of retaliation in acting. Finally, the bystander effect really focuses on the idea of whether or not the acts that people would be using to help are justified and valid. There is the want for their act to be seen from a societal standpoint as right by their peers. A fear of embarrassment and failure prevent people from speaking out, in America, where Derber’s concepts of individualism and wilding are overarching, the idea that people are solely focused on themselves blocking out the outside world. When they break out of that mold, they want praise not to be scorned or judged for their actions, leaving them to be bystanders. Bystanders are fostered by this blatant individualism. To conclude, bystanders are created by an uncaring environment that fosters individualism. Bullying is fostered by neglectful bystanders that are facilitated by the environment in which it is occurring. Children are taught to become passive bystanders at a young age. Bystanders can make a difference if empowered.