10 Questions
What is the source of Peggy's guilt for over 40 years?
Her inaction when Stewart was teased on their school bus.
What is surprising to Peggy about her behavior on the bus?
That she didn't stick up for Stewart despite considering herself an assertive and moral person.
What is a common scenario that many people, including Peggy, can relate to?
Witnessing a problem and not taking action to help.
What holds people back from helping in problematic situations?
Something, but the exact reason is unclear.
What do the questions about why we don't help in certain situations apply to?
Beyond just fleeting scenarios.
What is the context in which the term 'bystander' is often associated with, as per Charles Garfield?
Large social, political, and environmental problems
What is the research focus in understanding human behavior in the face of crisis?
Identifying the subtle differences between bystanders and morally courageous individuals
What is the concept referred to in the text as 'altruistic inertia'?
The inability to act on moral instincts due to unseen inhibiting factors
What is the infamous case mentioned in the text that illustrates the bystander phenomenon?
The murder of Kitty Genovese in 1964
What is the purpose of research into bystander behavior, according to the text?
To understand what drives everyday altruism and lifetimes of activism
Study Notes
The Bystander Effect
- Peggy Kirihara feels guilty about not standing up for Stewart, a classmate who was teased mercilessly on the school bus, despite knowing him since childhood and considering herself an assertive and moral person.
- Peggy's inaction despite having the power to make a difference is a common phenomenon, observed in many everyday situations where people fail to intervene in the face of injustice or need.
Everyday Bystander Scenarios
- Examples of everyday bystander scenarios include not intervening when someone is harassed on the street, driving past a stranded car without stopping to help, and not picking up litter on the sidewalk.
- These situations often leave people wondering why they did not take action, and whether they would act differently in a similar situation in the future.
The Bystander Archetype
- The bystander phenomenon is a recurring theme throughout history, including the Holocaust, the Rwandan genocide, and current environmental crises.
- The bystander archetype is characterized by a lack of action in the face of crises, despite having the potential to make a difference.
Research on Bystander Behavior
- Researchers have spent decades studying bystander behavior, trying to understand what drives some people to respond to crises while others do not.
- Findings suggest that subtle differences in a situation can push individuals towards either bystander behavior or morally courageous action.
The Kitty Genovese Murder
- In 1964, 38 people in Queens, New York, witnessed the murder of Kitty Genovese, yet none of them intervened.
- The Genovese murder is a notorious example of bystander behavior, highlighting the need to understand what drives individuals to remain passive in the face of injustice.
Peggy Kirihara reflects on her high school days, feeling guilty about not standing up for Stewart, a classmate who was bullied daily on the school bus. She shares her regrets and emotional response to the situation.
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