Microsoft Word Chapter 1 done doc

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12.4 RESPONDING TO AN EMERGENCY – WILL 
BYSTANDER HELP? HELPING IN 
EMERGENCIES – APATHY STEPS 
DETERMINING HELPING VS. NON-HELPING 
BEHAVIOUR : 
Do you remember the incident that look place some years at 
the Gateway of India. Two young girls sitting at the Gateway of 
India, were attacked by an unknown person, one girl almost 
collapsed other was saved by a young man who ran towards them 
amidst the mob who was only a spectator to the event. 
This is a situation, in which witnesses towards emergency 
stood around and did nothing except the young man. The question 
is why such difference in behaviour is found? 
12.4.1 When stranger is Distressed : 
 
The world heroism is often used to describe anyone who 
completes difficult job or task. 
Beeker and Eagly (2004) suggested that heroism actually 
refers to actions that involve courageous risk taking to obtain 
socially valued goal. Someone who engages in risky behaviour for 
the sake of fun is also not heroic deed. Someone who chooses 
prosocial occupation like nursing is not heroic act. 
The brave acts performed by ordinary citizen for saving or 
attempting to save life of other are an example of bravery. On 
Republic day bravery awards are given to policeman and army 
personals who have lost their lives while saving others. How can 
one forget the heroic act of Mr. Tukarem Ombale, a policeman?
Who caught hold of Kasab, who emptied his entire gun in Ombale’s 
body? 
Terrorist attack of 26
th
Nov will remain a permanent mark in 
the history of Mumbai when several members of anti terrorist squad 
lost their lives while trying to save the lives of others. 
Beeker & Eagly (2004) also apply the term here to 
individuals who take risks in less dangerous and dramatic ways.
Such as donating someone kidney, who is need of the transplant.
Helping people affected by natural disasters such as Tsunami.
Those individuals who are willing to help others are really Prosocial 
and unselfish by nature. 
There are instances, when people still behave in an 
unresponsive manner that shows selfishness, unconcern and 

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apathy. These are the situations when victims are left to fend for 
themselves. We generally feel that more bystanders are present in 
any situation, more likely a victim to receive help from people. But 
reality is different. 
The famous murder in New York City during mid 1960’s 
made psychologist to really, think about the prosocial behaviour. In 
this tragic crime, a young woman Catherine (kitty) Genovese was 
assaulted by a man in a location where many people could see and 
hear what was going on. She screamed for help many people 
overlooked the scene. Despite this, attacker continued to stab the 
victim for many minutes and even left and returned to continue to 
assault her. But not every single person reported the crime to 
policeman or tried to stop the attacker. 
Investigators found that this forty five minute attack was 
witnessed by residents of the area but not even one called the 
police. 
After this incidence there was much speculation about 
selfishness and indifference of people in general from cities. 
Darley and Latane developed several possible explanations 
for such behaviour. These explanations were tested through 
research. This research has become classic in the area of social 
psychology.