Today I was in the library studying quietly. I was on the computer with several other people around me on other computers. One person was disabled and started having a fit and passed out dropping to the floor and knocked their head on the table.
I was right across from this person and I think I saw them drop first. Instead of helping I sat there and pretended I did not see it. For some reason I didn't want to help. I was frozen.
Eventually other people came to the rescue and it was all ok but what if I was the only person there to help. Would I have sat there frozen or done something?
Has anybody else has this similar experience?
2007-05-15 03:54:23 · 10 answers · asked by Scooba Steve 3 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Don't beat yourself up about this...you are not evil, just human. In this day and time you have to be careful who you help because you might get sued if you do something wrong like move them or something. Ask yourself why you reacted this way. It's ok, you can't save everyone or take care of everyone. Maybe you didn't feel like you knew what to do at that moment. You are human, not bad or evil.
2007-05-15 06:18:59 · answer #1 · answered by vanhammer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
evil is a little tough. maybe a little self-absorbed.
i had this "frozen" feeling when i was a lot younger, when i saw an older lady in a crowded bus. I wanted to give up my seat, but somehow didn't. and the longer I sat there, the more "frozen" I got - although I did feel a little guilty at the same time.
However, as I grew up, I learnt - it is best to act on the first impulse i.e. to help, quickly and swiftly. The dark side is usually too eager to take over.
2007-05-15 04:08:10 · answer #2 · answered by Me 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it would be different if you were the only one there. I think you would have did something to help. Are you shy? Maybe you just didn't want to make the first move? Maybe you are not good at initiating things? Maybe you didn't know what you could do? Maybe you were frightened? Maybe you are slow to react? I could see myself doing the same thing. I am really shy- especially around others- so I'd let someone else take the initiative. I'd help the person if no one else was around, though.
2007-05-15 04:00:50 · answer #3 · answered by January 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people choose to react how you did in this type of situation. People get mugged openly in the street and people ignore it, same with vicious beatings, etc. You are just fitting in with society, and minding your business. It does not mean you are a coward in any way.
Another thing about people taking fits, you can't do anything for them anyway, except clear things from around them. So, its not like you would have made any difference. Don't let it bother you.
2007-05-15 04:06:53 · answer #4 · answered by Jim 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well firs t of all we all react difrently in every situation , you are only human it dont make u evil because u didnt help , in away u did help because u didnt get in the way of others that were able to help or that could of helped , were all human , but if this bugs u alot go talk to a counsler or something .. and rember when u do help you ar e in ti for the duration till help arives so its best to think it out can i stay the 2 hrsd etc or how ever long this may take ,
2007-05-15 04:05:41 · answer #5 · answered by dale621 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This phenomenon is called the bystander effect. It is the tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present. This is a common and unfortunate aspect of everyday life. Don't worry, you are not evil. It's understandable... however, just keep this in mind next time.
2007-05-15 04:06:46 · answer #6 · answered by omgi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't "try" to catch some people jumping out of the fourth and fifth stories of windows during a fire, there was about 10 people who jumped because the brick was too hot to try to rope down with sheets tied together, etc.
I felt guilty about that, still do, but I knew I would get killed if i did. I did drag them out of the embers and got help for them, but I didn't sacrifice myself to break their fall.
No one who jumped died, I did tell them to jump as there was no alternative but to burn to death, I did wakr them all, they didn't know their building was on fire, but still I carry guilt for not at least trying to break their falls.
2007-05-15 04:06:50 · answer #7 · answered by dad 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you drive around to a mates house, it's a hot day and he/she is swimming in the pool, do you jump in the pool knowing that eventually you will have to get out and go through the hassle of drying up, changing clothes etc, or do you just sit by the pool knowing that it won't be long before your friend get's out
2007-05-15 04:03:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not evil but very selfish. You should take a good look at yourself. What if that was you, wouldn't you want someone to help you in a time of need?
2007-05-15 04:04:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, I've done that before, it just means you don't want to get involved, its not evil, a bit self fish and pretentious, but not evil.
2007-05-15 04:00:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋