Skip to main content

Search from vocabulary

Content language

Concept information

Preferred term

bystander effect  

Definition

  • Bystander apathy is a social-psychological phenomenon that occurs during extraordinary events during which the surrounding community or the observers fail or refuse to act to alleviate the suffering or imminent danger of an individual in need of aid. Historical Example One of the most infamous incidents of bystander apathy occurred in the Queens borough of New York City. [Source: Encyclopedia of Street Crime in America; Bystander Apathy]

Belongs to group

URI

https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/bystander_effect

Download this concept: