First, a little trivia for you:
On March 13, 1964, a stalker repeatedly stabbed Kitty Genovese, then raped her as she lay dying outside of Queens, New York, apartment at 3:30 A.M. "Oh, my God, he stabbed me!" Genovese screamed into the early morning stillness. "Please help me!" Windows opened and lights went on as neighbors--38 of them, according to the New York Times report, though the number was later contested--heard her screams. Her attacker fled and then returned to stab and rape her again. Not until he fled for good did anyone so much as call the police, at 3:50 A.M.
Okay, so the bystander effect is the tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present.
So, whether if it is someone who dropped a pencil or someone having a heart attack, would you give aid if of other people were present (by picking up the pencil, calling 911,etc.)?
On March 13, 1964, a stalker repeatedly stabbed Kitty Genovese, then raped her as she lay dying outside of Queens, New York, apartment at 3:30 A.M. "Oh, my God, he stabbed me!" Genovese screamed into the early morning stillness. "Please help me!" Windows opened and lights went on as neighbors--38 of them, according to the New York Times report, though the number was later contested--heard her screams. Her attacker fled and then returned to stab and rape her again. Not until he fled for good did anyone so much as call the police, at 3:50 A.M.
Okay, so the bystander effect is the tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present.
So, whether if it is someone who dropped a pencil or someone having a heart attack, would you give aid if of other people were present (by picking up the pencil, calling 911,etc.)?
You can pick your pencil up yourself, sir.
I.E. I'll help friends and strangers, but not enemies, regardless of how serious the need is.
Too many people like to play hero, and it has been why some people have died.
If there was a way to sneak up on the victimizer, then I would stab him and try get the woman safe, depending on the wound. If it was a fatal one, I wouldn't be able to move her, so I'd have to call for an ambulance.
If there were about three people targeting one person, then I most likely wouldn't involve myself. I'm not going to obviously put my life to risk in a failed attempt to help another. Unless, ofcourse there was a good chance of stopping the, but that isn't likely. Maybe a molitov would do the trick.
I usually pick up pencils for other people.
And if the person is having a heart attack, I would just call 911. I am not trained in CPR and AED, add that to the fact that I live in the United States in the state of California, which has the highest concentration of lawyers in the country. I give CPR, save the person's life but accidentally end up breaking a rib and I get sued, my wages are garnished for the next 10 years because I was being a good samaritan. Hell no.
In most cases, I would just call 911. I am not going to take the liability upon myself, it's not going to happen. Sorry to sound like a cold bitch and all, but that's the way things are in this country now.
And the sad part about what I just said is that it is not only a possibility, but a probability.
I love this topic though and I'm glad to see you know your stuff. I still answered the poll and appreciate you bringing to light something important to be aware of, I'm simply pointing out how self-report is never trustworthy or very accurate.