(NewsNation) — Viral video from a street brawl in Cincinnati showing witnesses doing nothing to help victims of a mob assault has some observers drawing links with the infamous death of Kitty Genovese more than 60 years ago and the concept of “bystander effect.”
Bystander effect, or bystander apathy, is the term psychologists and criminologists use to describe the inaction of large groups during a crisis or emergency. Experts say individuals within a crowd may feel less of an obligation to step forward, something referred to as “diffusion of responsibility.”
Bystanders may also think the event isn’t really an emergency if no one else is helping, or that they may be judged for stepping in. By contrast, experts say, individuals who are by themselves or accompanied by relatively few onlookers are more likely to take the initiative and act.
What we know about Cincinnati brawl suspects
Kitty Genovese: Did witnesses do nothing?
“The bystander effect, where they just don’t want to get involved — I don’t understand it,” retired NYPD lieutenant commander Joe Cardinale told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” last week. “This is so absurd, that in this day and age that this can occur.”…