Smith 1

Kelly Smith
Ms. De Len
English III (H) Period 4
5 March 2015

Should a bystander be held culpable for their inaction in the face of a crime or injustice?
I.

Introduction
1. Greeting
2. Attention getter
a. See two people
1. One is screaming
a. Ignored by others
2. Confused
a. Dont know
3. Scared
a. Dont want harm
4. Example bystander situation
C. Thesis
1. No, they shouldnt
a. Bystander effect
b. Confusion
c. Fear

II. The Bystander Effect

A. Refers to the phenomenon in which the greater the number of people present, the less
likely people are to help a person in distress. (Cherry)
1. Example
a. Public heart attack
i. Two different situations
1. Many people around
a. Someone will help
2. No one around
a. Responsible for help
2. Studies

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a. In a series of studies, researchers Bibb Latane and John Darley filled
smoke in a room as participants of their studies filled questionnaires.
When participants were alone, 75% reported the smoke to the
experimenters. However, when two participants were in a room, only
38% of them reported the smoke. (Cherry)
3. Why it happens
a. Diffusion of responsibility
i. More people
1. Shared responsibility
a. Which is diminished
2. Less pressure
b. Behave normally
i. Led by example
ii. Look to others
III. Confusion
A. Ambiguous situations
a. Unsure of emergency
i. Example
1. Splashing in pool
a. Fear of embarrassment
b. Denial
i. Rationalize the situation
IV. Fear
A. Society
a. Mind own business
i. Societal norm
b. Ex. Classroom difficulty
i. Similar to bystander
1. Stupid for misinterpretation
c. Possible blame
i. Example
1. Help fallen man
a. Seen as aggressor
B. General Fear
a. Often scared
i. Dont know
b. Being seen
i. Dont want acknowledgement

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1. Remain unseen
2. Could risk harm

V.

C. Personal Injury
a. Intervention
i. Intervention in a violent crime can turn one victim into two (Smith)
Conclusion
A.
Bystander effect
B.
Confusion
C.
Fear
1.
Influence bystanders
a)
Because of this
ii
No one should be legally compelled to put their life/ well
being at stake for another, nor should they be penalized for selfpreservation. (Smith)

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Works Cited

Cafferty, Jack. "Should people who witness a crime face jail for failing to report it?" CNN. CNN,
29 Oct. 2009. Web. 5 Oct. 2013. <http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2009/10/29/shouldpeople-who-witness-a-crime-face-jail-for-failing-to-report-it/>.
Cherry, Kendra. "The Bystander Effect." Psychology. About, n.d. Web. 4 Oct. 2013.
<http://psychology.about.com/od/socialpsychology/a/bystandereffect.htm>.
The Daily Gamecock. The State News, 20 Mar. 2013. Web. 8 Oct. 2013.
<http://www.dailygamecock.com/article/2013/03/bystanders-should-sufferconsequences-of-inaction>.
Grohol, John M. "The Bystander Effect? The Rape of Rehtaeh Parsons & Audrie Pott."
PsychCentral. Psych Central, n.d. Web. 4 Oct. 2013.
<http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/04/13/the-bystander-effect-the-rape-ofrehtaeh-parsons-audrie-pott/>.
Marsh, Jason, and Dacher Keltner. "We Are All Bystanders." Greater Good. Berkeley, 2006.
Web. 4 Oct. 2013. <http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/we_are_all_bystanders>.
Shaw, Margaret. The Role of Local Government in Community Safety. N.p.: n.p., 2001. Print.
Smith, S. E. "Should Bystanders Have a Legal Obligation to Intervene in Crimes?" XO Jane. Ed.
Jane Pratt. Style Channel, 8 Jan. 2013. Web. 15 Oct. 2013.
<http://www.xojane.com/issues/should-bystanders-have-a-legal-obligation-to-intervenein-crimes>.