FREE ESSAY ON SUMMARY/CRITIQUE

SUMMARY/CRITIQUE

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SUMMARY/CRITIQUE FORM
REFERENCE: Darley, J. M., & Latane', B. (1968). Bystander intervention in emergencies:
Diffusion of responsibility in R. Hock (Ed.), Forty Studies That Changed Psychology
(295-303). Upper Saddle, N. J.: Prentice Hall.
SUMMARY: Society dictates that we take action to help others in emergency situations, but
often, we do not. In the famous case of Genovese, where 38 bystanders watched a woman get
brutally murdered, only one person called the police. Darley and Latane analyzed the
bystanders' reactions. They believed that the reason no one took steps to help Kitty
Genovese was a phenomena they called "diffusion of responsibility." As the number of
bystanders in an emergency increases, the greater the belief that "someone else will
help." With 3 different groups of subjects, Darley and Latane measured the percentage of
subjects in each condition who helped the alleged troubled student. They also measured
the amount of time it took them to respond. After four minutes, the experiment was
terminated. Their findings supported their hypothesis as the amount of delay in helping
was greater when more by-standers were present. They also considered the role of social
influence in the study. What was it about the presence of others that was so influential?
Beyond their specific findings, Darley and Latane's ground-breaking research on helping
behavior and diffusion of responsibility, continues to influence many studies on very
topical issues. 
CRITIQUE: Darley and Latane contributed greatly to explaining a perplexing human
behavior. Hopefully, as more people learn about the bystander effect, they will become
aware of the need to act in any emergency situation, even if others are present. Research
has demonstrated that when people have learned about the bystander effect, their
participation level is higher in emergencies. Always act as if you are the only person
there. This study is referenced in our book in chapter 9, page 299 where it discusses
"social loafing" and Latane's contribution to a lack of production in the work place when
people are in groups. 
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