An analysis of pro-social behavior with relation to the actions of witnesses to an emergency situation.
Written in 2004; 1,422 words; 5 sources; MLA; $ 47.95
Paper Summary:
This paper presents the facts regarding the murder of Kitty Genovese in New York City in 1964. The paper explains that this murder prompted many social psychologists to consider the nature of emergency helping behavior, since thirty-eight of Genovese's neighbors witnessed the attack without intervening. The paper identifies five elements that determine whether a person will offer assistance in an emergency situation. These conditions are: 1) the event must be noticed by the bystander; 2) it must be interpreted as an emergency by the bystander; 3) the individual must take personal responsibility for offering assistance; 4) the bystander must know how to help; and 5) he or she must be able to implement the decision to offer aid.
From the Paper:
"In the case of Kitty Genovese in New York City, interviews with the witnesses after the fact showed that everyone noticed the emergency. (Smetana et al., 1983). Since the young woman was attacked and murdered in the middle of the night, in most cases, neighbors were awoken and some even stayed by their windows for the duration of the attack, which lasted almost an hour. (Smetana et al., 1983)
Having noticed an emergency in the first place, the second condition that determines emergency helping behavior, according to Darley and Latane is the correct interpretation. If the event is not interpreted as an emergency, then no help will be offered. One aspect of this correct interpretation is correct perception. Bystanders have to know that what they are witnessing is an emergency. If gunshots are misinterpreted as a car backfiring, then there will be no perception of an emergency, and no bystander intercession."
We have thousands of high-quality term papers, research papers, essays, book reports and dissertations on every topic. At AcaDemon, you can download those term papers to help you write yours! You can be sure that the term paper, essay, book report or research paper you download are top-quality, competitively priced and high-level work.
Look for more research papers, essays and book reports on Pro-Social Behavior
If you can't find your topic here, try another search
or try our affordable, unique custom paper alternative
Custom Research Services include:
Papers written from scratch, according to your specifications. Every paper is UNIQUE - Guaranteed
This Free Term Paper Abstract is a part of our Term Paper Library.Here you can purchase research papers, examples of essays, academic dissertations, articles, notes, analytical papers, book reports, stories and poems. We have thousands of persuasive, point-of-view, narrative, critical, compare and contrast and other types of essays in our Library. You can also find here Term papers on "Pro-Social Behavior", Essays on "Pro-Social Behavior", Research papers on "Pro-Social Behavior", Student papers on "Pro-Social Behavior", Book reports on "Pro-Social Behavior", Dissertation on "Pro-Social Behavior", Thesis on "Pro-Social Behavior", Summary of paper on "Pro-Social Behavior", Articles written on "Pro-Social Behavior".
Look for more research papers, essays and book reports on