The Bystander Effect | The Science of Empathy

[@leatherback8]

Gosh, the bystander effect is one of the oldest tricks in the book you learn in school, and yet I found myself wincing by the end of this video as I clearly remembered a number of moments when I didn't help someone because there were other people around (or people already helping), even though I consider myself a helpful person. This is a great reminder, thank you.

[@he1802]

I mean if people are already helping then I'll definitely not do anything. I mean where I'm from there's like a saying which basically says the more cooks there are the more the soup will be salted (and basically ruined). Also I doubt I would step in because as if I know how to set up a tent

[@beatriztr4476]

leatherback8 that’s actually the first time I’ve heard of it

[@kayleephen7559]

:))

[@zanik8326]

plus with all of theese fights its like why wont anyone help? i mean i should ask the teacher but others might bully me more.... you see i aint that popular kid or that cool person you see most of the time going to school ME? no im just a normal person ready to learn thats why.... also everybody runs to the area and watch the fight and sometimee record it search up nanakuli fights youll see kinda alot i live in that area.... and also i guess people are having the bystander effect because most of the time they dont care and they just dont wana get involved in it hm

[@zanik8326]

m i d d l e s c h o o l a n d h i g h s c h o o l am i right lol

[@3DJapan]

The problem I see with this test is the environment. The bystanders have a role to play. Their job is to sit and watch the presentation. The professional's job is to set up the presentation and present it. So these results may be skewed.

[@Xiox321]

Maybe, but this does happen all the time, heck I've been in that situation probably 100 times or more in my life. Plus there have been many social experiment videos testing the same thing, but in public that show similar results.

[@calliepartridge6702]

that's exactly what i was thinking. i dont feel like i would have offered to help very quickly because they asked the people to sit there and watch and review, not help present.

[@bellhole]

i don't think the results are skewed at all since the subjects that were alone with the presenter offered to help when they were given the same instructions as the participants in a group of people. i don't really see much of a problem with this test since the controls are maintained the same throughout each trial, but i can understand how a different test would probably be more effective in proving this effect because of what you said.

[@Niniel28b]

I think it was skewed though. At least if I had been the subject that wasn't in on it, I wouldn't have helped nearly as quickly when there was a group, because I wouldn't want to embarrass him in front of the group. I realise he's already doing that by being unable to set up the presentation that it's clearly his job to set up. But if I offer to help, I would feel like it's me saying, in front of witnesses, that I think he is so bad at his job that I, as a total amateur, could do a better job at it. And to me that would feel like adding insult to injury. At some point the scale would tip though, where the embarrassment of not being able to put up the tend would have gone on so long, that me offering to help (and thereby insulting his professional skill) would be less embarrassing than what he is already doing to himself. So for me it would have taken longer. If they had tweaked it just a little bit and the guy had said "The guy who was meant to set up the tent today isn't here, so we're just a little bit delayed. Please bear with us while I set it up instead" then I wouldn't have felt that way. Because then it's not this guy's professional skill I'm calling into question, cause it's not his job to be good at this, he's just filling in, and then I would have offered help right away. Same thing goes when he is alone with me, because even if I'm still questioning his professional skill at it, at least I'm not doing so in front of witnesses, so there are no one to embarras him in front of. I don't know if this explanation makes it clear what I mean, but I hope so. That being said, I don't question that the by-stander effect is very real and that this experiment also did show that to a degree. I just think it mixed another thing into it as well, which is not wishing to embarras someone (even if they're clearly embarassing themselves, but it's like the moment you acknowledge that, you make it painfully obvious to everyone. Until that point you can kind of pretend that no one is noticing and help the poor guy save face.)

[@3DJapan]

kailee lenae As is your right. :)

[@faitharooo]

I'm reminded of this one time, I was taking the trash out at work & I had loaded everything up onto this cart: 4 trash bags filled to the brim & a BUNCH of cardboard. There was a pedestrian crossing that I had to take to get to the dumpster, but when I got to the middle of the crossing, all the cardboard fell off the cart & 1 trash bag ripped open, spilling all over the street. I was blocking traffic on both sides & panicking because everyone was staring at me. There were even people who were crossing the street who just looked as they passed by. The only way I got through was when 2 people (who were waiting to be seated at a restaurant just across the street) saw what happened and ran over to help me. I couldn't thank them enough. The lady said she didn't even THINK about not helping me, she saw all the stuff falling & she dropped everything and ran. It seriously meant a lot!

[@jennifer__e]

faitharooo they’re so nice to have helped you

[@jennifer__e]

faitharooo they’re so nice to have helped you

[@FakeAccents]

For me, I feel more inclined to help if I saw it happen, where as if it happened before I saw it I don't usually help. Not sure why though.

[@BrittBratBurt]

I'm the same way. Typically if I see it happen, I'm quick to help, but if I'm coming up on it already completed, I get too focused on where I'm going to stop, but always think about it after.

[@snake2966]

She can be a hero.

[@jmariwright]

I think past experiences play a role as well. If you witnessed a negative response to someone helping another person you may be WAY less likely to do it again.

[@bbyskittles91]

Jennifer Wright Agreed. I've have a few instances where I tried to help someone and they seemed annoyed that I helped or just straight up said I don't need help. It makes you hesitant, especially in a group if you don't want to get embarrassed infront of ther people for trying to help.

[@IamRocque]

This!

[@ameliacave3839]

I feel like some people also either took more time bc they wanted to make sure he actually needed help, didn't know how to put up a tent either so didn't think they'd be much help, or just didn't wanna make the guy feel like he was incapable of doing things on his own

[@casss.298]

that was exactly my reaction of thought, that was his job and even if struggling maybe he knew how to do it. IF somebody needs help, ask for it. People will come and help.

[@hillary596]

(leaving the bystander effect aside ) if you care or really want to help you can still ask him ? "do you need some help ?" if he say "no i'm fine" then ok, you have nothing to loose that was a good intention , and even if someone doesn't know how to put up a tent , since he don't know much either 2 brains working on it is better than alone I doubt the people who help in the video are professionals campers but still they help

[@yva1118yva]

no. that;s why he made it clear with the type of item: lengthy, flailing sticks that just needed another pair of hands to stabilize so that he could make the connections. they didn;t need to be professional campers to do that.

[@시린-d4i]

I feel that 😅

[@Fuar11]

I think that they just think they aren't supposed to help. Because they were told that's not what they were there for.

[@imarockstarification]

Fuarian But you are rarely there to help, that's often what help implies. If someone drops their grocery bag in front of you, you aren't specifically there to help them but you can still pick up an apple.

[@calliepartridge6702]

imarockstarification i think fuarian is saying that their assignment was to sit and watch a presentation, so they didn't think it would be appropriate to jump in and help with the presentation:)

[@TremblingQualifier]

Your assignment is not to pick up the apple in the grocery store, but the environment is more open-ended.

[@AddisonBlue]

Keep condoning selfishness till it hits you in the back of your head.

[@sockpuppie]

I've certainly witnessed that in my life. Helps to be aware of it so you can do something about it.

[@laurennewell9265]

They teach us this (but less detailed) in lifesaving courses. When you need a bystander, you have to be really specific. So, instead of saying “hey could someone help me?”, say “you in the red shorts, could you help me?” Useful tip

[@Graycata]

We were taught that in our CPR class. Point is someone specific and have them confirm that they know you are giving them my tasks

[@shiningdawn8578]

Funny that you mention this. I was just reading a phenomenal web series (approx 7,000 pages), and there is a specific scene where our main character needs bystanders to assist the injured. She specifically recalls what you described and starts giving direct orders to people rather than asking for help.

[@wheredoducksgo]

I've never put a tent up and because it's a product he has brought in I would assume he would be able to do it better than I could. I'd be worried I'd offer to help and end up not having a clue what to do and make the whole thing worse/ruin it. I'd be sitting there wondering if anyone else has the experience/skill of putting up a tent and if so, they could help him. Ps. The girl at 3:03 😍.

[@imarockstarification]

E T That's another thing that plays in, but helping doesn't mean "do it for him". That's why they ask "can I help", implying that if he needs it be will tell you what to do to be helpful. You don't need to be an expert to give a hand.

[@dani010203stor]

this is exactly what i was thinking. depending on the subject of course, but in some cases i would be afraid of breaking something or ruing it. also i would think someone else here MUST be better than me on this

[@attitudeforschools]

This thinking is a super normal anxiety which has been studied... they call it "evaluation apprehension" the fear of performing a task in front of people and being judged... which is one of the reasons that explains the Bystander Effect.

[@chibaby0306]

u guys need to be on TV!!! this is so needed in our nation! nowadays, people just pull out their cell phones to record instead of stepping in. thank u guys for all u do!!!

[@RascalHooligan]

Struggling with a tent is completely different from a scenario in which someone may be getting physically or emotionally assaulted. I feel like the responses to help out were out of politeness, or courtesy (learned reactions), as opposed to helping someone out of empathy (involved reactions).

[@jennyrtgo]

Actually there have situations where even when someone was physically assaulted people didn't help. For example in the Kitty Genovese Murder, a man had stabbed a women to death while her apartment neighbors just watched and didn't call for help. Demonstrating just how powerful the Bystander Effect actually is.

[@antoniodamoura2248]

There are literally hundreds of videos of fights, instead of helping they whip out their camera

[@RascalHooligan]

Jennifer Ortega. Yes, it's a widely known case. But it's just a case in point. Scenarios in different situations with different people will always have variations in results. I don't doubt the validity of the bystander effect concept. What I'm criticizing is this experiment's ability to actually test empathy.

[@RascalHooligan]

TheN3rdiest Productions. And there's also tons of examples of people helping others. What's your point? The experiment is still weak.

[@politesmile7812]

As an introvert, if I had offered help and he said “no thank you”, I would have sat in my chair sweating until I died of embarrassment.

[@fit2642]

Please don't. You did a GREAT JOB!

[@IoraTera]

You need to see both outcomes as a win. Your offer to help got accepted? Great, you get to help. Your offer to help got declined? Great, you get to not spend time and effort on helping.

[@시린-d4i]

I feel that

[@Inlieuofsue]

I don't think this is a good illustration. There were instructions to sit and take a survey while the expert (one doing the alleged demo) set up. It could be perceived as rude to step in and show the expert how to do hi/her job.

[@shiningdawn8578]

Is he an expert tent setter upper, or is he an expert social researcher through product demonstrations. I see too much speculation here from people, as a means to deflect.

[@funforsameer1769]

4:58 *OOOOHH he put him on blasttttt*

[@auroraborealis675]

Who did he out on blast? Did someone pull out their phone? lol

[@tess2082]

FunForSameer yeah, that was hilarious That person that was filming was real rude, he deserved it

[@sisseljuliana]

He was in on it, you'll see him sitting in the big crowd as well so he did it to get reactions.

[@amaris884]

@@tess2082 He wasn't rude he was an actor, that's why he was on every single test

[@erikab6933]

I feel this is a lesson adults need to learn again. In a time of so much hatred and division, the bystander effect is in full view. So easy on social media to do/say nothing when you know what is right/wrong.

[@Sam-rw4nx]

I always have the mentality that if I don’t do it, nobody else will

[@gonzos-twin]

the problem with your test was that you gave people instructions to fill out a survey. How are they going to fill out a survey and help you

[@imarockstarification]

gonzostwin1 It doesn't take 10 mins to fill out a one page survey

[@beeveearr]

Also it's a product demonstration, so I'd think I wasn't supposed to help set up as it's their product

[@miriamrobarts]

gonzostwin1 & beeveearr: I think I would feel that way at first, but it was obvious that he was struggling & could use some help. Also, several of the people looked bored, not busy filling out the survey the whole time. Plus, if they are supposed to be reviewing the product, helping set up a tent would give a lot more info about it than just watching (other than to see if one person could do it).

[@miriamrobarts]

Helping others is rarely convenient.

[@anushrees4981]

gonzostwin1 actually because the whole group except one person was told to not help.

[@baileyandthejets6240]

I guess this is why you hear stories about people getting raped in NYC and nobody stopping to help. I find it a little disconcerting because the population goes up every day, so do our chances of receiving help also go down every day?

[@miriamrobarts]

That is a scary thought. In CPR training, they teach you to point to someone (if there's a crowd) and tell them to call for help. I guess this is why. Maybe that tactic would work, but if you're under attack, it might be difficult to call out or point to a particular person nearby.

[@seraphina985]

+Miriam Robarts It probably would help if you can manage to pull it off and for much the same reason as soon as you call out an individual it forces them to respond personally and breaks the diffusion of responsibility effect. Physically pointing might be difficult if the attacker is restraining you physically though if you can call out some identifying feature of a person that can have a similar effect too "You there in the red shirt" for example.

[@samaraisnt]

I'm gonna be honest pointing someone while you're getting raped will probably not make them help you. The type of person who would let a rape go on while doing nothing won't care tbh. People are scary af...

[@toukendanshiwarrior2846]

If one person by themselves in this situation, I bet they'll feel like they had to help as they're the only one who can help and expected to help.

[@beealittlebug]

i watched this years ago in 6th grade. it just kinda stuck with me. now, every day, when there's somebody who needs help when there's a crowd and i hesitate, this video always pops up in my mind. it makes me move. thank you for reminding me of how i can be a better person❤

[@mbb21]

In this case helping out would mean standing up in front of the group and possibly looking ridiculous struggling with the tent. So it’s not so much because of diffusion of responsibility but rather just shyness. That might be what the bystander effect is in many cases, a fear of doing the wrong thing while trying to help, while others are watching and ‘judging’ you…

[@michaeledmunds7266]

One time I saw an old lady in a crowded parking lot asking rather pleadingly for help repeatedly. Shamefully, I confess I didn't go over to offer any help at first because I thought someone else would handle it, and I only went over there once I noticed nobody else was going to.

[@Lgisas]

I think it depends on the task. I am hopeless at putting up a tent so I would be worried that I would just be in the way.

[@Graycata]

I am almost an expert at putting up pup tents. Have set them up by myself even. So I would not take so long to ask if he wants help. But if it was something he was assembling I was less familiar with, I would probably take longer to offer assistance

[@matthewhay2038]

If I saw someone struggling with a tent I definitely wouldn’t offer to help because last time I tried to put up a tent I snapped one of the poles and lost one of the hooks you use to secure it to the ground

[@KonDragon008]

Welp, this explains why nobody in school ever helped me against the kids who used to torment me... This is interesting to me, because I have ASD (autism). I'm not naturally aware of what's socially "normal", and though I can be on the sensitive side, what other people will think of me is not in the forefront of my mind when I act. For example, there was one case when I was younger and with my brother and friend during recess at a summer camp. There were others in the nearby area as two bigger kids were picking on some skinny kid; none of us knew who the kid was, but my friend and I sort of exchanged this look and then went up to the bullies to stop them. Yea, we got in trouble as well, but I don't regret what I did; which is another thing to consider (that oftentimes, victims standing up for themselves for the people who help the victims stand up for themselves get in just as much, if not more, trouble than the bullies do). What usually holds me back if someone needs a hand in a situation similar to this (thinking about if that was me in this experiment) would be me wondering if I'd be ALLOWED to ask the person if they need help setting up. I don't like getting into trouble or being yelled at, so that fear sometimes prevents me from acting straight away (and probably would have if I was tested in this demonstration). I know group mentality wouldn't hold me back (especially being in the front row, as others just start to blend into one another due to my disability with social awareness), but I certainly will admit that I'd probably have hesitated out of fear on whether or not I'd get in trouble for offering to help someone set up a demonstration since I was supposed to be part of the audience.

[@franwex]

KairyDragon omg dude, we don’t need your life story.

[@KonDragon008]

franwex There’s a switch in your head that prevents you from just saying any stupid thing that pops into it. Yours is broken. Please report this malfunction to the original manufacturer. Thank you, and have a nice day.

[@auroraborealis675]

Right. Nd in dangerous situations one might be afraid to help out because they think they would also put themselves in danger of some sort. Or as you said be blamed for what happens.

[@auroraborealis675]

And ignore what franwex or whatever said. They are a jerk.

[@JB-rp2ej]

I found a guy who looked to be over dosing, barely breathing, and was bleeding on the footpath. He was right next to a crowded bus-stop, yet no one helped. I had just finished a shift at the veterinary hospital (I was a nurse/receptionist) and helped as best I could while calling an ambulance etc. But it stunned me how many people were just walking around staring at this guy! They were taking pictures and even getting a bit aggressive instead of simply making a call to someone who could help. Think logically when you're in a group. You don't have to put yourself in harm's way, but AT LEAST make a call to someone who is trained and can help

[@ritatakla9907]

The thing is that I help no matter what because I'm independent and a quiet leader so if no one goes up to help, as a leader you want to try to make that system work quicker and more efficiently no matter who you're with. By quiet I mean introverted, so I take time to think before I speak but when it comes to help its a quick decision and part of my personality. thats what i think, and I have an equal view towards anybody. this is a similar situation that I had at school when my teacher was having trouble fixing the projector infront of 400 students, and there was a guest speaking to us about a foundation at the same time. I couldn't hesitate to help, so i got up and got the job done. we shouldnt feel ashamed to do so.

[@lobeliaerinus4939]

This would be more accurate if it wasn't a "product demonstration"

[@yaelihyams]

Ahh, well my problem is that I'm shy so standing up and helping when everyone else just stares at me is kind of scary. It's kinda sad that I will only help if there is someone helping already.

[@lesleymontoya9483]

My mom told me a story from when she was a kid. She used to live in these really crappy apartment's in ghetto Stockton. One day, a man was shot in the parking lot of the apartment in a drive by. He was crying for help up to three hours before dying. No one did anything because no one wanted to take the blame. My mom (and rest of apartment) literally watched a man die before her eyes. When she told me this, I hated her for not doing anything. Now I understand. I stood by a 13 year old being stabbed at a frat party and did absolutely nothing. I think about that kid every single night...

[@Jessicahasopinions]

I feel like I've always been quick to offer help, but this will definitely make me think about it more, especially if I'm in a group of people.

[@joemunoz1476]

I like doing the fakie-outie.. where you kinda offer to help but immediately say "you got it, you're good" . Not only did I offer to help, but I gave you positive reinforcement.

[@ScuzzAsh]

I'm not sure if I would have helped out. If they were there to review a product, maybe one of the selling points of the product was being able to put it together by yourself. If I helped, it would have made the whole review panel useless.

[@EDGE94]

At first I thought the whole group was tested. I love it that actually only ONE SINGLE person within the group is and it's so obvious who it is. :D

[@youtubesuckss7058]

Yes we need to start giving and not waiting for someone else to give

[@ilhamonytube]

This is very crucial, especially if we talk about living more as a colony instead of tribes. One time where I was on my motorbike (this is an Asian country [Indonesia], there are tons of people using motorbikes), and we all witnessed this girl from across the road fell off her motorbike and she just laid on there barely moving. People on my side of the road started being vociferous but didn't do anything. I somehow got upset about that, but instead of me going there myself, I told/begged my group to "Please help her!" And right after I said that a guy shot across the road on her motorbike through the red light. As if people need like a permission as an encouragement to take on the responsibility. This is honestly not a satisfying and ideal community in my opinion. We judge each other and sometimes harshly just because someone does something that you have never taught/pressured to do. Like social and economy classes, castes, they're still happening in the era of fingerprints and face scan. I think it's not very ideal that we need to set up a habit just to be more helpful to each other. But I guess this is the situation today and we have to change that a little bit.

[@mousewithaphone]

I've been in group situations like this before and have wanted to assist in some way but have never felt comfortable doing so, not because I figured somebody else would help but because people are often weird about accepting help when they have an audience and can react badly to it. When it's just you and another person it feels much more comfortable to receive and offer help. This is something I'm always acutely aware of and I never know whether I'm right to offer help or not.

[@miriamrobarts]

I think you would be right to offer help regardless of how the person reacts. They can always say, "No, thanks." Keep being yourself and don't let it bother you if others can't handle someone just trying to be nice!

[@simpleminded9885]

As someone who can read I feel that filling out paper work played its role in this matter. And I never offer my help but my assists. I think you can do it yourself. But we can get it done faster together.

[@normabeatrizalvarez986]

I felt this in my life. People won't help you. What they say are excuses. The people is evil, selfish. Although what you are doing with the tent is not the best example I would say. But I get the point and it's a shame.

[@venuswilmer1618]

I am the opposite. I have been in trouble for years for trying to help when it's not wanted or appreciated. Being the outlier is worth the occasional trouble since I consider this a measure of character.

[@lightawake]

Would love to see this same experiment done with a variety of cultures and social strata - especially interested to see how people from more collectively-minded cultures respond, or cultures with stricter social rules.

[@Silmerano]

I've known about this for years and now consciously make an effort to be the first to offer help.

[@lancevancetorres]

It's interesting that the people who were willing to finally jump in and help were seated dead center in between everyone else. I wonder if that position just puts more pressure on a person to assume responsibility because their decision to abandon the situation would be more noticeable by everyone else.

[@VamLoveAndKisses]

I think a big part of the bystander effect is not feeling confident in a situation and hoping/assuming that someone else would be better equipped to deal with it. In case of a medical emergency for example I would hesitate before getting involved because I would assume that someone else would be trained or better able to help than I would be. But if I was a doctor or had some first aid training I would feel more confident stepping up. Or if I saw no one else was helping I like to think I would get involved.

[@alisiajennings861]

Brilliant video. I would and have in many situations would jump in and help.

[@lor4904]

I'd be cautious to help simply because I don't know how to set up a tent either

[@yva1118yva]

i think this is what the finale of Battlestar Galactica was about, splitting the survivors into many small & distanced groups, to keep people connected & to have "concentrated responsibility" for as long as possible.

[@deelynn8611]

No, I'm not. I usually take action, in situations right in front of me. Usually not I situations far removed from me.

[@evonnexu7460]

The problem here is that the presenter is supposed to be professional and know what to do. The presenter knows what needs to be done, and should know how to do their job. The watchers are expecting a formal presentation, and are meant to just watch. At least, that's what I would think. In my opinion, offering someone to help them with their job who probably has other employees and colleagues around isn't necessary. Then again, it depends on the situation. If a cliche tripping in the hallway and spilling papers would to happen, that would be different. The person isn't prepared for what is going on, and bystanders aren't given a role to play. It is still nice to see people helping the guy set up.

[@lilyzemengist8091]

I met someone for coffee at Starbucks once and when the girl was closing the doors for the night she was struggling. I wanted to help but the person I was with sad she'll figure it out don't help. I now regret more than I ever did then. My instincts told me to help but I let someone else control my instinctual reactions. 😔😤😑

[@MissySimpleM]

When I'm in a big group, I always feel like someone else is better than me and can offer more adequate help, whereas if it was just the struggling person and me, then I'm the best help they can get so I don't have to feel like I'm giving sub-par help and stopping someone who actually knows what they're doing from jumping in.

[@rajeshdontham]

Nicely demonstrated. Observed these in daily routines and truly people are not with the attitude not to help but several other factors like: Some one may help, fear/worry/un-comfort in that group.....

[@janagh7402]

I miss the science of.... So much glad they put it back

[@Sheenbean365]

I just learned today I’m a bystander..🤦🏻‍♀️ I purposefully ignored a situation because I assumed someone else could help.. Thats effed up

[@abcdefg54321x]

The girl who helped the quickest is such a cutiepie😘

[@Chrisbrownloverforev]

I am so glad that guy called the other one out for taping it! Twice! I thought that was so obvious and SO rude.

[@Golden_Girl_Six]

This makes me feel really bad when I think of the times in school when people drop their books in the hallway and I think "Somebody else can help them..." AHHHHHHH

[@themockingjay3173]

Its differently when you live in asian culture , they will help you quickly in anything for those who need a hand , we just feel uncomfortable to only stay while someone's need a help ... Except the chinese i dont knoww if they have. An empathy

[@sometime.somewhere]

As some have said this predicament is tricky as people are doing their jobs. I have to carry large tables in front of the public at work and some people offer to help with doors, although I do this regularly, because I often get close to them, it's almost out of embarrassment. I think the best bystander thing I saw was having one test person plus nine who were aware, slowly filling a waiting room with stage smoke to see hiwlong they would sit there whilst the others didn't react. Crazy how people would sit there not able to see their hands because they didn't want to stand out. Perhaps on the subject of asking for or offering help, people don't want to stand out, but I think you shouldn't be afraid to ask for help if you need it, people play victim until someone notices, which I also think is problematic

[@BacadoTheSkoggy]

I think it’s not just a “someone else would do it” mentality, for me it’s more a fear of judgement. When you see someone in need and you want to help them but no one else is, you might have some anxiety over doing it. In my mind I would always be thinking “is there a reason no one else is helping that I don’t know about” “am i not supposed to step in” “will they accept the help or take it as an insult” That’s probably just me and other anxious people like me though, i guess

[@Nikwalenda]

These guys helping were golden

[@samaraisnt]

Not everyone knows how to build a tent though. I would feel bad and WANT to help but I would be less than useless, I've never done it and would slow them down. If you had recruited all *girl scouts* then yes, this would be a valid experiment. A better experiment would be the lifting of a two person liftable item that you + anyone could lift. A bystander effect experiment that I took part in (unknowingly) was a woman was on the ground and needed help, so she just lay on the ground (which, anyone could help a person up, it requires no skill just empathy!). I helped her up and she was actually with an anti-smoking campaign. I won a shirt.

[@brookebuchanan5718]

With my year 6 Positive Education class watching this video about kindness and they wanted to let you know that they liked it. Thanks for creating these videos. All the way from Harrow Beijing!

[@MangoBabyRican]

One of the issues with this is the fact that, if I were in the audience, I have never set up a tent and wouldn't offer to help because...I don't know what I'm doing. However, it it were a task I've done regularly and feel confident in doing, I'd be more inclined to lend a hand whether or not other people offered.

[@tyrekmaison3575]

Piliavin's study summarised this experiment quite effectively.

[@manuelitomarquesinas5949]

Personality makes a difference too, if you get a more confident person, he might get everyone to help you.

[@mik3274]

In school they taught us that if something happens to you in public (being attacked or hurt or whatever) you shouldn’t just scream for help. You should pick someone and say something like „hey you, in that red jacket“. Usually people wouldn’t help bc of the pressure of the public situation but when you address a single person, they suddenly do help for the same reason.

[@christinehorner4887]

I often want to help people but I feel like I would be getting in their way by helping. Or I feel like they want to do it on their own and it would make them look bad if I offered help. Especially in situation like this, where I don't think I would have much of a clue how to help, one time when someone was having a hard time at a park and there was this little kid who fell and his leg was bleeding, no one helped and they just where playing at the park when the little kid was crying, I wanted to help but I now regret more than I ever did then. My instincts told me to help but I let someone else control my instinctual reactions and didn't help the little kid, but he was okay. Later his mom saw when the little kid yelled.

[@user-yh5cv1vu9m]

It's not only like 'oh someone else will do it' but it's more like "oh, no one is doing it. Maybe I shouldn't either. Because I'm taking this test thing"

[@chillycoldchomper9389]

I would wait to see if they struggled with a little part, or with the whole thing. I don't know how to set up a tent, so I might say if I can do something. Or maybe I would talk to them to relate with them like saying "that looks hard" or "I can't fix a tent, your getting more work done than I ever could" but that isn't helpful and it could embarrass them even more. The best thing I could do is offer a hand to see if I can do something, like holding a pole. I cant fix a tent, but I can do basic things that can really help in a step.

[@jasonmonette4516]

You need larger sample sizes for these experiments but I understand that it takes time and resources to do it. Please continue with these though, I love your videos!

[@MandyJMaddison]

The statement at 1:29 seems completely contradictory to the exercise. I each case, only ONE person is being tested, right? But both the words and the voice ove say " Everybody BUT ONE of these people WASN'T in on it" Surely what is meant is "Everybody, BUT ONE, of these people WAS in on it."

[@HughRaine]

Just noticed the same thing. He confuses it by getting that wrong!

[@e_pistolito]

I'm a psychology student and I really want to show my classmates this video on a presentation I have this Friday (May 22th), but most of them don't speak English, so I translated the video, I know it's uptight but it would be soo awesome if you guys approved it till then ;') Id be really thankful

[@evadekoch114]

You should do this with children

[@cloudnado67]

I have little to no idea on how to set up a tent, I feel like I would just be making it worse rather than helping, especially if I'm there for a presentation, if except the person setting it up would be better at doing it than me

[@sisseljuliana]

Ohhhh the guy who picked up his phone and filmed was in on it. Didn't see him in the big crowd before I went back a little to see it again. I was about to get mad pissed off lol

[@kingisso9033]

bra, its a tent...push someone down the stairs or something and then mesure how long someone takes to help.

[@grizzlygates9939]

you'd be surprised, studies like that have been done with the same results, I had to do an entire research thesis on it.

[@samaraisnt]

@@grizzlygates9939 he's pointing out how it's not a good experiment to judge the effect, not that the effect doesn't exist.

[@hannie6654]

I have social anxiety for me it’s already terrible to stand up to throw something away in class...

[@maxcovfefe]

I only knew of this before viewing the video because I had First Aid training, in which this effect is often discussed at some length. Later, when I got my CNA certification, I noticed it was often discussed again. EVEN AMONG HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, people generally think the more of a crowd there is, the more likely someone ELSE is to be more qualified. Don't wait to figure it out, start CPR until someone announces a qualification better than yours. On the other hand, ask people NOT to help, and watch the level of squirm rise to epic levels. This video demonstrates that really well. That said, you completely left out the LAB COAT effect. You appeared to be someone in authority. Asking to help you with bystanders present might've offended you. TAKE OFF THE COAT AND TRY AGAIN! 2:30 cracked me up. Dude is literally recording for KZbin.

[@gramps2matt]

This series on Empathy Julian is presenting is very educational. I'm enjoying all of them.

[@fanniboda1353]

I'm a pretty petite and thin girl. I carry around this suitcase with me each day to college because my books are so heavy my shoulders can't take it. I often have to climb the stairs, sometimes even going up to the 4th floor, lifting the bag. No one has ever offered to help and I'm quite disappointed in humanity.

[@tinaa3459]

Yep me- when I want to stop and say hi to a beggar or give them some coins but people keep walking by so I don't want to stick out like a sore thumb..so bad lol

[@auroraborealis675]

Sometimes it is good to stick out

[@Lamborghinjo]

I think there are also cultural aspects to that. For example in Germany, if you witness a car accident you are required by law to help, failing to do so (and getting caught) can result in a pretty significant fine. I think that this also creates kind of a "societal expectation" to help. By the way, if you're in the process of getting a drivers license, there's mandatory first aid training, plus basically anything that's considered "trying to help" counts as helping, even if you do nothing more than just call the ambulance.

[@recipesandsongs8050]

No. It is also about not calling attention to yourself. Most introverts can't do it. Im one. But i still do it.

[@nicolejackson6536]

Just went over this in my social psychology class

[@elyranch1902]

That dude fuckin up that tent has me shook from just the intro, good lord, I wanted to jump into the screen....

[@mariah_7654]

Julian always makes me laugh. Plus the moment at 4:48 made me laugh just as hard Julian. I'm not sure that the tent was the best way to test the effect of the bystander affect on empathy. People didn't seem to be responding based on connecting with the emotion Julian was experiencing, but rather because they just happen to be there with nothing else to do(other than the survey). It seemed more like why not help this guy and be a nice person rather than Julian is frustrated and tired, and I know how that feels therefore I want to help him.

[@Nanancay]

You should've used the same people in different situations with different group sizes too, to see how the individual would react. It would've been interesting to see the girl who 'likes to help' do something.

[@marcosluciosilva2433]

3:08 *WOOOOOOOOOOOOW*

[@aphro123star]

Honestly I wouldn't help whether I was alone or with a group because if he needed help with the tent he would've asked out loud that's common sense in my opinion

[@시린-d4i]

I think personally helping someone when there is a group of other people, it makes me feel like a “pick me” or “trying-hard” or just get attention-seeking which I don’t want 😅 I don’t know it’s just my anxiety makes it hard for me to do things in public or under someone’s watch. I feel bad so I will try to improve myself 😅

[@jmleeinla4025]

I would ALYAYS help. I guess that’s just how I’m made. No matter how many people were there. But then I talk to everyone I meet and ask my servers their names so I can be more personal and make them feel like a person and less like a servant. It’s just the way I am.

[@GroundbreakGames]

Last week I had a long talk with my son about a video I had watched of a elementary school girl getting hit in the face repeatedly (with a chair) by a bully, while about 10 kids sat around taking video with their phone, nervously laughing, and doing NOTHING to stop it. We talked about how you NEVER sit and watch something like that without taking action, even if it's just to run and get help, you do it immediately. So .. as fate would have it, I'm sitting in the car outside of Pel'Meni's last night and see a young college kid get jumped from behind by about 6 other (VERY drunk) dudes who proceed to pin him against the building next door and 3 or 4 of them are punching him in the face, while the other couple guys are keeping everyone back from the scene as it quickly unfolds. As they tumbled to the ground (victim ending up on the bottom) two of the guys were immediately on top of him, still punching him repeatedly by the time I was able to grab the first one by the back of the head and rip him off the poor kid. The entire group was so in-shock that I had tossed the first guy off, and was now standing over him screaming at the top of my lungs (mostly just Adrenalin fueled nonsense), they just froze and stood silently for a moment. Not a single response.. they did nothing.. said nothing, as the victim got up and ran off while I had their full attention. All it took was ONE person "albeit, forcefully and in full psycho-mode" to intervene, but that's all it took. I wasn't some scared kid who had gotten taken by surprise, and as soon as I challenged them, there were several other bystanders now ready to step in at this point, because someone else had first.... that's all it took.. someone to do SOMETHING besides stand there and pull out their fucking phone to get it on video. I'm not writing this to make myself out to be some sort of hero, because I'm not. I've been in this situation before and became the idle bystander who did nothing, and that regret is probably the worst I've ever experienced. Never again. I did what I think we should ALL do in a situation like this, because it really only takes one person to snap the other bystanders out of their nervous, "frozen-in-fear" mentality and help. Too often in those moments of sudden chaos, I think we naturally wait for someone else to step in. but in the end, someone has to be the first. I will continue to teach my son to always be that first person. It's not enough to just "not be mean". Reach out and stand up for each other. Life is fucking hard enough as it is.

[@Supaaanovaa]

I LOVE YOU, SP!!

[@emilieveronneau6836]

Actually, I don't think like that. I'm going to help someone no matter what except if people are already helping. Like, a car bumped into a guy on his bicycle one day (no injuries, nothing horrible, more fear than hurt). I was about to get out of the car but there were already 4 people who went around him by the time. Overstimulating someone who is experiencing something that can be confusing or hurtftul isn't helping. If nobody would have move, I would have been there.

[@Alina28357]

I think you might get different results if the demonstrator was a woman

[@Kookie-zv4bu]

Al inae yep and there it is, someone who finally brought in the "wOuLdVe BeEn dIfFeReNt If ThE GeNdErS wErE rEVeRsEd" argument. Tho true in most cases, I doubt this effect and it's results would be different for the opp gender.

[@ApartmentViews]

Al inae Possible. But I'm pretty sure the "bystander effect" was publicly realized, and in turn studied by psychologists, as a result of a woman, who screamed her head off for several minutes while being murdered, being ignored by dozens of people in a nearby apartment complex who later reported hearing her but doing nothing - not even calling the police - because they thought someone else would help her. Kitty Genovese was her name I think. And a woman's scream is like, supposedly the ultimate in attention-grabbing yet still no one helped her. So maybe people would have responded sooner to a woman in this experiment but maybe not.

[@rajeshrajesh.p2903]

X

[@Maya-qo8ue]

I honestly have to say it's different for me from a day to day basis Some days I would help immediately, some (not that often) I wouldn't bother at all, even if I was alone

[@beautifulbubbles1445]

I totally enjoyed this educational video, very well explained. It got me laughing 😅 when one of the persons said "not just be on your phone recording it" Really true experiment. 👍🏼 Thanks for sharing!

[@danielcastillo3080]

and of course when i say i know japanese i can also read KANJi people who don't know how amazing anime is are truly TRULY... which is why i learned enough japanese however i am not even halfway on finishing up my reading or writing skillz but i AM getting there

[@shealyngarvin4414]

My excuse for isolating myself from the rest of humanity and pour out my feelings to my dog.