What is Genovese Syndrome (Bystander Effect)? Why Should Its Relationship with Mobbing Not Be Ignored?
Apr 14, 2025
🚨 How Many People Would Make You Feel Comfortable in a Crisis?
If you need to ask for help in a crisis, would you prefer to be in a crowded place or in an environment with just one person? Most people prefer the crowd because more people = more help. However, the Genovese Syndrome is a psychological phenomenon that challenges this thinking.
What is the Genovese Syndrome?
On March 13, 1964, 28-year-old Kitty Genovese was stabbed to death in Queens, New York. It was claimed that 38 people witnessed the murder, but no one intervened. This incident led to the introduction of the behavior model known as “bystander effect” or Genovese Syndrome into the psychology literature.
👉 What Does Bystander Effect Mean?
The bystander effect is the reduced likelihood of a person helping when others are present. People tend to transfer responsibility to others in a crowd.
Latane and Darley's Experiment: Smoke-Filled Room Test
Psychologists Bibb Latane and John Darley conducted an experiment to measure the bystander effect:
Group 1: 75% of those alone in the room intervened with the smoke.
Group 2: Only 38% of the 3 real participants took action.
Group 3: In a room with 1 real and 2 fake participants, the intervention rate fell to 10%.
This experiment clearly shows that as the “diffusion of responsibility” increases, the intervention rate decreases.
🤯 Why Don't We Help?
Not feeling responsible
The thought of “someone is already taking care of it”
Fear of misinterpreting the situation
Hesitating to put own safety at risk
These reasons lead individuals to remain passive. However, this passivity can sometimes have serious consequences.
Genovese Syndrome in the Workplace: Example of Mobbing
The bystander effect has serious implications not only on the street or in society but also in corporate life. Particularly in cases of mobbing, this effect becomes much more evident.
📌 What is Mobbing?
Mobbing is when an employee is systematically subjected to psychological pressure, ostracism, or humiliation. This situation is not solely about the perpetrator. Employees in the bystander position are also part of the process.
🧠 Tınaz's Bystander Typology (2006a)
Employees in the observer role during mobbing processes are categorized into 5 groups based on their behaviors:
Diplomatic Observer: A mediator, solution-oriented.
Helper Observer: Supports the mobber, but discreetly.
Over-Involved Observer: Disturbs the victim by showing excessive concern.
Passive Observer: Completely unresponsive and indifferent.
Two-Faced Snake Observer: Appears neutral but is a supporter behind the scenes.
❗ Staying Silent is Also a Choice
When you witness mobbing or similar situations, remaining silent means being indirectly complicit in the crime. Although the bystander effect is not defined as a legal crime, its effect on the victim can be indistinguishable from that of a crime.
🔚 Conclusion: Don't Stay Silent, Don't Look Away!
Every individual can make a difference in their social environment. Taking action instead of remaining bystander is a sign of both individual bravery and social responsibility.
The feeling of safety in crowded environments can be misleading. True safety comes from being with individuals who exhibit ethical stances. Remember, each of us has a role on the stage of life.
👉 Your role doesn’t have to be “the silent monster.”
📚 References
Latane & Darley, 1968: Bystander Intervention Studies
The New York Times, 1964: Report on the Kitty Genovese Murder