Urbanism: The Bystander Effect


Research Topic

This project is to create an installation art that reflects to how human reacts toward a distress situation occurring to others in the public.

Background
The bystander effect, a phenomenon that a person is more likely to help another person in a distress situation or a situation in need of help, in the public among a great number of people present.

Based on studies conducted by American psychologist, there are two major factors that is the cause to the bystander effect.
First is the number of people presence in the area of distress which makes a diffusion of responsibility. Since the responsibility to take action is thought to be shared among others, they do not feel obligated to lend a hand.

The second reason is the need to behave in correct and socially acceptable ways. This shows when other observers just do not react, they feel there is not a need to intervene or not appropriate in some cases.

Problem Identification
- Will the user react to a distress situation when being alone or in a group?
- How will this project help the society?
- What can the user learn when being alone and in a group to handle the bystander effect?
- How will the study of the bystander effect help the audience?

Aim and Objectives
- To explore the relationship between science and the effects of urbanism.
- To explore the culture of urbanism.
- To encourage audience to lend a hand.
- To investigate the issues concerning to the bystander effect.
- To create awareness among the society.

Motivation
My motivation comes from an article regarding a young women, Kitty Genovese, that was stab to death outside the door leading to her apartment in 1964. What makes me sad was that she cried for help after getting stab, but no one wanted to intervene and help her. She was left to died outside the streets due to the bystander effect.
Source: http://listverse.com/2009/11/02/10-notorious-cases-of-the-bystander-effect/