The bystander effect

I was appalled this week while reading the Toronto Sun. The story of a young woman struck down by not one but two vehicles while she was crossing the street.  What makes this story even more sickening is the second driver who ran over the injured woman did not bother to stop.  Two sister's who witness the accident ran to the woman's side trying to comfort her and keep her warm until helped arrived.  They reported to the Toronto Sun that they couldn't believe how this tragic event did not seem to slow down the traffic from around them. 
As I was reading this story I was reminded of my first year psychology class.  My professor was giving a lecture on the bystander effect.  Which was introduced in the 1960's after the tragic death of "Kitty Genoves".  A New York city woman who was raped and stabbed to death near her apartment building.  Early reports suggested that 38 people had either witnessed or heard part of the attack however failed to call police.  This tragic event prompted psychologists to study the effects of violent acts and the way witness' respond to them.
Studies in these types cases showed that individuals are less likely to offer help in an emergency situation when other people are present.  One person will almost always assume that someone else is going to do something. Observers seeing other people not taking action take that as a signal that the correct response is not needed or appropriate. Some passer-bys might also fear their own safety and choose to ignore the situation assuming that someone else more qualified to handle it will come to offer help.  This is known as the bystander effect or diffusion of responsibility. 
Even with today's cell phone technology, those who happen to witness a crime of any kind will be hesitant to pick up their phone to report it to the police.  It usually isn't until much later once they hear about it on the news does it strike them that they were present at the scene and could have offered some assistance.  The implementation of anonymous tip lines such as crime stoppers has helped to give confidence to witnesses to report any information related to a felony.  These programs have helped police close many unsolved cases and give closure to the affected families.

Lesson to be learned, the next time your passing by a situation that doesn't seem right to you.  Don't hesitate pick up your phone and report the event to the proper authorities.