Beyond the Laws of the Bystander Effect Exploring policy innovations for social responsibility.
Every second, choices are made that define who we are. The power to change lives lies not just in our actions, but in our willingness to act. Instances of this can be seen in the George Floyd case, which vividly illustrates individuals present doing nothing to intervene as a man's life was unjustly taken in front of their eyes. George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American male, gained global attention and sparked widespread awareness through protests against brutality. On May 25th, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, George Floyd was arrested by police officers after a convenience store employee…show more content… While intervening in police actions might seem risky, it would have saved Floyd’s life. This is an innovation of the bystander effect. The bystander effect is a psychological phenomenon that refers to the tendency of individuals to be less likely to offer help or intervene in an emergency situation when others are present. This effect was famously used in the Kitty Genovese murder in 1964, where many witnesses did not intervene or call for help despite her repeated cries for assistance. This case sparked research into why people often fail to act in situations where their help could make a difference.The case gained widespread attention not only due to the brutality of the crime but also because of the revelation that so many people heard Kitty's screams for help yet did nothing. This sparked a national conversation about the "bystander effect" and the responsibility of individuals to intervene in emergencies.The Kitty Genovese case remains a tragic example of how the diffusion of responsibility can prevent people from helping those in need, even when they are aware of an emergency. It has led to changes in how police handle emergency calls and increased awareness of the importance of
