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kcr

(15,522 posts)

57. The Kitty Genovese story that people watched and didn't help is a myth

Sun Jan 26, 2014, 03:08 PM

Jan 2014

7. Most people watching the Kitty Genovese murder (source of "bystander effect" research) did not offer help.

The infamous murder of Kitty Genovese murder in March of 1964 in front of dozens of passive bystanders stimulated research by social psychologists John Darley and Bibb Latane to investigate the theory of "diffusion of responsibility." Darley and Latane's research showed that the larger the number of bystanders, the less likely any one person is to help. However, the true Genovese story didn't play out quite as described in most intro psych books. In fact, many people tried to help and were unable to due to the fact that the deadly assault did not take place right in front of them. Although there still is validity to the bystander effect, its origins in this case are more mythical than real.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201112/the-top-10-psychology-myths

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Windsor man rescues girl lying on snowy street as others pass her by [View all] n2doc Jan 2014 OP

:( shenmue Jan 2014 #1

Even homeless people don't normally lie on the sidewalk in the snow. El_Johns Jan 2014 #2

"just a homeless person" Matariki Jan 2014 #3

Disgusting, eh? Scuba Jan 2014 #47

That's just beyond sad. polly7 Jan 2014 #4

Had a simliar experience about 3 months ago theHandpuppet Jan 2014 #5

my answer to that is NJCher Jan 2014 #9

"What the hell is wrong with us?" R. Daneel Olivaw Jan 2014 #11

Which "us"? JustABozoOnThisBus Jan 2014 #13

Point taken, but it also doesn't change my belief in my former statement. R. Daneel Olivaw Jan 2014 #14

You do know that Canada is in the Americas as well, eh? quakerboy Jan 2014 #21

Having spent considerable time in Canada, Art_from_Ark Jan 2014 #27

Having spent considerable time quakerboy Jan 2014 #33

Canadians are *North* Americans Art_from_Ark Jan 2014 #36

That's why traveling Canadians Dorian Gray Jan 2014 #38

Being Canadian crim son Jan 2014 #48

hard to tell where "Windsor" is. hfojvt Jan 2014 #30

Based on another section of the OP link, my guess is ... JustABozoOnThisBus Jan 2014 #40

Not just Americans. Quantess Jan 2014 #41

I can only speak for my own little corner of the world. R. Daneel Olivaw Jan 2014 #42

No need. Quantess Jan 2014 #44

20/20 'what would u do' showed that people are waiting from cue from others, 4 a leader Liberal_in_LA Jan 2014 #20

Sometimes it goes beyond that, though theHandpuppet Jan 2014 #22

nowadays some would be filming AND laughing. really sad Liberal_in_LA Jan 2014 #23

No kidding theHandpuppet Jan 2014 #24

This is a question for each of us. Why don't we, individually, why don't you, help homeless people? mahina Jan 2014 #6

I think it used to be more that people were afraid, polly7 Jan 2014 #10

So you can't call 911? VA_Jill Jan 2014 #15

Didn't say that. mahina Jan 2014 #25

The first time I took the Red Cross CPR/First Aid course enlightenment Jan 2014 #26

Great thought, thank you. mahina Jan 2014 #28

+ 1000 nt riderinthestorm Jan 2014 #29

Of course. nilesobek Jan 2014 #34

Oh come on. mahina Jan 2014 #49

Yes you should do that, nilesobek Jan 2014 #64

Good human, need more. Curious about how the girl ended up there though. Mnemosyne Jan 2014 #7

K & R !!! WillyT Jan 2014 #8

Ask yourself Pakid Jan 2014 #12

Although we need to ask that,this happened in Windsor sufrommich Jan 2014 #45

That guy probably saved her life. It was about 8-degrees Fahrenheit Thursday. Octafish Jan 2014 #16

Negative 13 PowerToThePeople Jan 2014 #31

Sorry, my bad. Thanks for the correction. Octafish Jan 2014 #32

the story in the bible about the good samaritan had a real impact in my life. dembotoz Jan 2014 #17

Even if you don't want to get involved, Chemisse Jan 2014 #18

. . .and, here's how the FReepers see it Faygo Kid Jan 2014 #19

As usual, Freepers show little reading comprehension. Patiod Jan 2014 #43

K&R It's like a horrible disease has spread across the whole nation. Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #35

Doesn't surprise me in the least heaven05 Jan 2014 #37

Very sad Dorian Gray Jan 2014 #39

Brought to You By: A Selfish Society W.J. McCabe Jan 2014 #46

Compassion is NOT taught in school. L0oniX Jan 2014 #50

Nor at home, apparently, by example. QuestForSense Jan 2014 #53

Excuse me? Android3.14 Jan 2014 #59

"Where the hell do you come up with that sort of bullshit?" L0oniX Jan 2014 #60

Your response shows prideful ignorance. Android3.14 Jan 2014 #61

Well since you are trying to insult me I might as well put you on ignore. L0oniX Jan 2014 #62

Very sad. Perhaps the on-line world is merging with that "other" world. Eleanors38 Jan 2014 #51

That was very benevolent of him The Straight Story Jan 2014 #52

Grind that axe. Your priorities are interesting. redqueen Jan 2014 #54

I wish I was surprised that no one else stopped to help. redqueen Jan 2014 #55

the only thing I can say is this: littlewolf Jan 2014 #56

The Kitty Genovese story that people watched and didn't help is a myth kcr Jan 2014 #57

thank you, I did not know that. littlewolf Jan 2014 #63

Odd story. Unfortunate that folks have so little faith in themselves Android3.14 Jan 2014 #58