thy brothers keeper (psych)

Altruism

self sacrifice for the benefit of others

apathy

a lack of concern for others

empathetic sympathy

suggests that we come to peoples aid because we have a desire to help others purely for altruistic reasons

desire to alleviate our own sense of suffering/guilt

adherence to social norms

non action would not be accepted by society, if we act we may recieve a reward or respect (hero status)

Genetic theory

suggests that we come to peoples aid because it is basic human instinct to help others

Disaster syndrome

psychological withdrawl from event by ignoring it

Desensitization

television violence which leaves us hypnotized and excited to violence

Alienation of large cities

we live in a megapolis ( a very large urban area formed by the merging of multiple metropolitan regions into a continuous, highly populated area) which makes closeness difficult and leads to alienation of the individual from the group.

Diffusion of responsibiliy

if there are numerous witnesses. we tend to rationalize our inaction by telling ourselves "someone else will help"

Four criteria before helping someone

1. a potential emergency must be observed

2. the situation must be defined as an emergency

3. the witness must accept responsibility for helping

4. the witness must know how to help

pluralistic ignorance

when witnesses look to each other for a signal that this in fact is a true emergency

Factors that may affect whether or not someone recieves help

race, looks, and gender

Good Samaritan laws

laws that impose a duty to assist people in need (varies from state to state)