In this world of human great self-preoccupation, all of us may get in trouble much sooner than we might believe and that in another context than from personality disorders. In fact the bystander effect is not linked to personality disorders at all, but it is too important to leave out. People´s fear of inconveniences makes our Society unsafe in so many ways. The bystander effect is a defense mechanism which we need to be aware of. It shows us that we follow other people´s example, even if we deep within our hearts know that what we are doing is wrong. Look above!
Now, both you and I may think: “I never would have passed, of course I would have stopped and called for help!”. Yeah, we really want to believe that regarding ourselves, don´t we? But with the fact that hundreds of people just walk by these suffering people, it is probably wrong to take for granted that we ourselves doubtlessly would have stopped. Isn´t it a fact that we really, really want to avoid getting involved in inconveniences, events that may mean trouble? Isn´t that so that we want our lives to continue without interruption? Always. Are we searching for excuses for not getting involved? Is it a fact that the more people that are present, the less responsibility lies within the each and one of us? Are we maybe even cowards? In real life those people could have died, lying right there on the street, with hundreds of citizens passing by.
If we imagine for a second that it is ourselves, or maybe our grown up child who is lying there, with unbearable stomach pain, without being able to breath, and with the conviction that this may be the last day in life, and hundreds of citizens look at you and just passes by… How would we experience such a thing? Would we ever get over it, that is, if we survive?
With the fact that this is a common human behaviour, it might not seem so strange that our society can be experienced as unsafe and cold. We can´t count on people helping us when we really need it!
A similar event happen to a friend of mine. He collided with a moose. The car was afterwards ready for the junkyard, and he was so lucky to survive! There was another driver right behind him and I of course take for granted that he or she saw what happened. Though, this driver passed. When one driver has chosen to pass, it is also easier for other drivers to follow the example. “He passed, I can do it too, more cars are coming, why should I have the trouble?”
We need a brighter world than this, don´t you think?
Regardless whether it is a man or a woman in the street who is in urgent need for help or if it is a child in a difficult family situation who is in urgent need for help, make yourself aware of the fact that the Bystander effect exists!
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