Quote:
Originally Posted by Wormius
I don't know if the bystander effect applies here. There is a distinct difference between that and using your better judgement to not possibly jump to your own death to try to maybe save somebody who is already dead themselves.
Can you imagine jumping in to save somebody, and just managing to knock yourself out instead when you land? After would-be rescuer #5 needs rescuing it starts to lose its purpose.
Of course you could also argue is it even worth risking an adult life, possibly the breadwinner of a family, to save a 2 or 3 year old?
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I agree, I don't think it's quite the same thing. Personally I'm view myself as somewhat immune to the bystander effect, I've helped out in tense situations on the train or in hospitals when everyone else is scared, or doing their best to mind their business. And yet I can't see myself even feeling like maybe I should jump into the dog pen. Even a little.
And just looking at the facts of the situation here, there is a much more real cause for concern of injury or death, while having a very small likelihood of being able to help.
Bystander effect usually covers situations where people know logically that they should help, but are held back psychologically because of mob mentality, not wanting to single themselves out, and belief that someone else may do it, so why risk themselves? Also having the knowledge that what is happening is wrong. This is such a weird and dangerous situation, with no moral spin (except for the decisions of the mother) that I'm not sure the same feelings or thinking applies. Not to mention, usually in bystander effect situations there is plenty of time to make a decision to do the right thing. This happened very quickly did it not?
Actually a better way to use bystander effect in this situation would be if many people saw the mother stand her child up on the railing and did nothing, deciding instead to mind their own business when they knew it was probably a very bad idea. Not wanting to cause a scene, be reprimanded etc. Though the speed at which this all happened probably makes that inapplicable too. Though it would be a better example.