Today on my way home from a photo shoot I noticed a 53 foot tractor trailer stopped on a state road with hazard lights on. Cars were just going around the truck and ignoring it. I decided to turn around and pull up to see what was wrong. I pulled up and got out and the driver who had a hard time speaking English explained how his route had him going this way but the road had a low height sign and were unsure if they could continue forward. Shortly after another driver stopped to help. We eventually guided him through the narrow old train underpass.
Now what would have happened if I never stopped to help? How many people would have just ignored this driver and kept going. The bystander effect happens because inside we as humans are social beings. If we see someone else do something, we are more likely to do it. For instance all those people that drove past might have just assumed since the car ahead drove past everything was okay. Since I stopped , others saw me and decided to stop too! We are an interesting species!
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