Why do people sometimes intervene in acts of violence, but not so in others? The horrifying case of two-year-old James Bulger, murdered by two older children, threw into light this very confronting aspect of human behavior. Seen distressed by an estimated 38 people, no one intervened. Why? Why will an individual raise an alarm when alone, but not when sitting with a group of strangers? This is a fascinating and lucid look at the Bystander Effect, the psychological work that examined it, and the conclusions we can draw from it.
Why do people sometimes intervene in acts of violence, but not so in others? The horrifying case of two-year-old James Bulger, murdered by two older children, threw into light this very confronting aspect of human behavior. Seen distressed by an estimated 38 people, no one intervened. Why? Why will an individual raise an alarm when alone, but not when sitting with a group of strangers? This is a fascinating and lucid look at the Bystander Effect, the psychological work that examined it, and the conclusions we can draw from it.
General Note
Originally released by Video Education Australasia, 2009.
Streaming video file encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on January 19, 2017.
Content Note
Horrific Crime --(2:02) -- Diffusion of Responsibility: Part One -- (1:59) -- John Darley and Bibb Latane -- (5:45) -- Costs and Benefits -- (5:20) -- Applying Research to Bulger's Murder -- (2:17) -- Social Identity & Intervention -- (4:54) -- Encouraging Bystander Intervention -- (2:14) -- Why No One Helped -- (3:16) -- Credits: Bystander Intervention -- (0:20).
