"The bystander effect occurs when the presence of others hinders an individual from intervening in an emergency situation" (Psychology Today, http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/bystander-effect). In other words, the more people there are present during a dangerous situation, the less likely people are to help. Let that sink in: people become LESS likely to help. They expect someone else will take care of the situation. They take LESS responsibility as a good samaritan.
This concept was foreign to me until my second semester of high school psychology my junior year. My classmates and I did a research project that tested this effect. And boy were the results shocking. We had a confederate lay down in the hallway of two different high schools, as if she were passed out, and observed as people walked by. While some stopped to check on the confederate, far too many passed by without even a concerned glance in her direction.
Recently, the video leaked of Ray Rice punching his then-girlfriend, now-wife, Janay Palmer, unconscious. And like clockwork, the media went wild. The video was shared, tweeted, posted, etc. and EVERYONE suddenly had an opinion. I personally refused to watch it because I get absolutely no satisfaction or entertainment from violence. And not only violence, but violence against women.
People online, on television, on the radio, and everywhere else you can think of, believe that this small amount of information they've been given via the media is enough to assess the entire relationship and simply say to Palmer: "leave him!" Or "Why haven't you left him yet?" While this may seem like a good solution to all of us BYSTANDERS, there are most likely many factors involved that are keeping her from leaving. One of them being the fear of being murdered by her abuser for leaving the relationship.
Instead of sitting back as bystanders, and pointing fingers, and judging, and blaming the victim, we should use this as a learning opportunity and an opportunity to stand up against domestic violence. I challenge you to research the signs, talk to a friend if you're concerned about your own relationship, or comfort a friend if you feel her relationship may not be safe. Do what you can to HELP rather than find reasons why you don't need to help.
And please, by all means, don't watch that video.
