Even if helping those who lose their footing seems like something people should do, this is not always the case. Sometimes, when someone falls, onlookers will stand and watch, unsure of when or how to lend their assistance. While some do not help out of indifference, there is a lot of nuance behind someone’s potential inaction. For example, many are subject to a common social pattern known as the bystander effect.
What is the bystander effect?
The bystander effect describes a situation where someone becomes less likely to help as the number of witnesses increases. The presence of a crowd dilutes responsibility and generates confusion. This often occurs because people look to one another for social cues. Upon seeing that the consensus is to remain still and silent, bystanders will be more likely to follow the social pattern and opt not to intervene.
Why does the bystander effect stop people from offering their help?
Typically, the more there are in the scene of an accident, the less likely each person is to take action. There are other explanations for their inaction, however. Bystanders may choose not to intervene because:
- They worry they might be overreacting and will embarrass themselves if they help
- They misread the situation and assume the person is safe
- They believe that others will step in and take action
Some might also refuse to step in because they fear they might make the problem worse. However, this is not true.
Georgia has a Good Samaritan law that protects people from being sued if they try to help someone in an emergency, but make things worse, so long as they are not deliberately attempting to harm someone. While this encourages some to lend aid to those who fall, it does not change the fact that many may be subject to the bystander effect.
What should you do if someone falls?
Simply knowing about the bystander effect is one of the first steps towards breaking it. If you recognize that nobody lends a helping hand to people who lose their balance and fall, you can step forward and take action. You can accomplish this by picking individuals out from the crowd to perform direct tasks, asking questions to the person who fell directly and ushering the crowd to create some space.
If the fall looks severe, you can ask if they are okay and determine if you need to call 911. Typically, signs of an emergency include head impact, confusion, bleeding, broken bones or being unable to stand up. If you have to call 911, you can stay nearby and provide information to first responders.
By being aware of some of the potential factors behind the bystander effect, you can take matters into your own hands and offer your help, potentially saving someone’s life.