Reference no: EM133285026

Assignment:

For reference, before Covid, my office was on what is called the Capital Square in Madison, WI. This because the four roads that go around our capital building make a perfect square. I also took the bus to work with a co-worker because parking there was expensive (the building I worked in was $27 per day). Riding the bus meant there was a lot of time to people watch while waiting for our bus.

I was not surprised at the video at all. Besides discussing it in previous psychology classes, it was something I saw on a regular basis while waiting for the bus. People would pass people who were homeless all the time, no offer of help, and most of the time would not even acknowledge their existence.

I think there are a lot of reasons people don't help. I am going to use m example of homelessness for some of my theories on why people don't help. The first is stereotypes. How many times have we seen in TV shows or movies, or heard other people say, "Don't give them money, they will just use it on drugs or alcohol." It puts the stereotype on people who are homeless that they are automatically addicts, and that addicts don't deserve help. People assume they are unworthy of help.

Another study I always wished I could do is if the change in how we pay for things has affected the help people give to people who are homeless and asking for financial assistance. For example, my husband and I don't carry cash unless we are going something that we know we need to use cash. That is true for most people I know. The number of times on the square I had to tell people that I couldn't help because I didn't carry cash, I think is 100% of the time I was asked. Many of the people around me were saying the same thing. Now I am sure for some, it was a convenient excuse, but for some of us, it was true. It was a real struggle for me, as I wanted to help, but just didn't have the cash.

I like to think that I would help anytime I could, assuming there was not a danger to my self or my loved ones. I have stopped on the side of the road when a woman was standing on the side of the road with her car broke down. A tow and an officer were on the way. I stayed with her until they got there because it can be danger for a woman alone on a highway like that.

One difference that could easily make an impact between the murder in 1964 and now is technology. Most people always have a cell phone on them. It is easy to record what is going on, for instance with police brutality. Maybe it is as simple as being the person who calls 911.